CRO-MAGS - Best Wishes

Artist:  Cro-Mags

Album: Best Wishes

Year:  1989

Genre:  Hardcore / Crossover

At first I contemplated taking an uncommon approach to writing about Best Wishes.  I was going to dive into the documented lore, lies and history of this seminal band to examine “what could have been.”  The title of this review was going to be, “Cro-Mags – How To Squander Pure Potential.”  I wanted to delve into their issues and struggles, and think about what might have been created if the original line up stayed together and worked cohesively.  My thoughts were that the world would have another album of hardcore history just like it does with The Age Of Quarrel.  Then I considered this thought again and asked myself “why?”  It wouldn’t change anything.  The Age Of Quarrel and that specific era of Cro-Mags is monumental.  They set the future standards of hardcore with one record.  The sound, the look, the demeanor; it’s what hardcore bands have been striving to imitate since they first bought that album or when they discovered it well after its release.  My longing to hear TAOQ part 2 is ridiculous and unnecessary because what followed was nothing short of classic itself.  In 1989, people thought Harley, Doug, Paris and new drummer Pete had lost their goddamned minds, but what the test of time has proven is that, although different, Best Wishes is not only every bit as good as its predecessor, but also would have zero problem contending with the top crossover / hardcore / thrash records of that year and after.

Best Wishes is blunt force trauma in auricular form.  The first thing that needs to be addressed is the production, because without it, this album would not be capable of doing the same level of damage.  The drum tones are perfect, the bass tone is perfect, the guitar tones are perfect, the levels are perfect.  “Best Wishes” should be taught as a Level 100 class on how to capture the quality and aggression related to heavy bands.  From the first crescendo rumblings of drum ‘n bass in "Death Camps," you see the punch coming and you know you’re going to get hit hard.  Then the guitars come in and finish you off.  It’s a shame that there are examples of this type of natural production to be emulated, but metal and hardcore bands still go for a processed sound that, although heavy, sounds fake. 

The stylistic difference between what the Cro-Mags laid down previous to ’89 is instantly apparent.  The songs have lost almost all of the fantastic punk edge found on  The Age Of Quarrel and are honed in and tight.  Each riff is a fucking monster and is accurately paired with percussion.  I obviously cannot speak to their intention, but it really seems to this avid listener that the band tried to avoid a single moment of filler. Even the rhythms under the solos sound well thought out.  The riffs are all distinguishable from one another and set each song apart yet they leave little room to breathe before you’re bludgeoned by another riff, and another, and… 

Then we get to the big controversy.  What could the Cro-Mags be like without the voice that set sail to thousands of hardcore ships?  The answer is easy.  There is no way John Joseph could’ve sang on this record.  JJ's shoot from the gut manner would not have matched up well with the heavier and more brutal direction.  Harley’s vocals did exactly what the music required as he showed unexpected style and diversity.  He's more than just the mean looking bass player.  His delivery is definitely from the HR school of vocals with a bit of Hetfield snarl thrown on top.  He varies it up throughout the record and proved he was more than capable of filling the vacated throne. 

No jolting words of wisdom will be happening at the end of this review.  This record is every bit as essential as anything in the Cro-Mags discography.  Dare I say, with age, I find myself throwing this on much more than The Age Of Quarrel.  It could be because I have TAOQ burned in my brain from the countless listens in the past, or, just maybe, my years of experience have told me this is just a superior record.  Let the debate begin.

Check out "Age Of Quarrel" here.