I hate labels, but the term 'emo' suffered a" bastardization" of its own meaning. Actually is used to label some kind of comercial, senseless and sold out bands based in outfits that doesnt belong with hardcore ideals.In the early 90's, Emo was basically a kind of hc ramification related with emotions, life aspects and personal feelings. Due to some exaggeration often fell into a parody, but NEVER was a pseudo gothic metal trend. Ian Mackaye was a visionary when discoverder this band, and they evolved from their early DC hc style to a more mature sound.Lyrically this lp is pure poetry and emotion. Illuminated like Sonic youth, Rites of spring, Scream, Husker du, Die Kreuzen, Pixies, Fugazi or Fuel. Some musical aspects of this great album, relates it with melodic hc, Alternative rock and even the eminent presence of Grunge spirit.

First off, I don't believe this was remixed. An interview article online states that Townsend was sent the final mixes, so unless that's wrong and he somehow got the multitracks, this is just a straight remaster, not a remix. Now, I'm very glad this incredible album is finally available again. Hopefully the band will get some more recognition and money from the release that they should have had back in the 80s. That said, I much prefer the original mastering of this album on CD. No offense to Townsend but this sounds like the typical "jacked" loudness war remaster jobs we get nowadays with a lot of punk and hardcore and metal reissues. It sounds great at first but it's fatigue inducing over the long term and everything sounds smashed together. Is it the worst contemporary remaster I've heard? Absolutely not but the dynamic range is still squashed significantly over the original, coming in at DR7 whereas my original CD is at DR12. If you're listening over crappy equipment, in the car, or on a streaming service, or prefer compressed remasters generally I'm sure you'll like this remaster better than the original. If you care about sound quality and dynamics, buy this to support the band but track down the original.

Also issued on CD upon initial release.