Artist: Attitude Adjustment
Album: American Paranoia
Year: 1986
Genre: Crossover
American Paranoia is an under-the-radar gem in the musical concoction known as crossover. This era of Attitude Adjustment saw the band wading heavily in the hardcore punk end of the crossover pool, but the velocity and intensity the band generated would send the run-of-the-mill punker running. They had much more in common with speedsters like Cryptic Slaughter, Septic Death, Beyond Possession and Crumbsuckers than with even the most gnarly hardcore in the mid 80s. Attitude Adjustment were like a punch to a raw nerve. Although the tempos on this record may be typical of extreme music in 2018, it definitely was not in 1986. Fast and faster were the rules for this record, as the listener only gets moments of any normal tempo before they’re off the races again. Andy “Airborne” spewed his words and touched on world issues, addiction and realistic fears of war at an inhuman pace. I always feel a tinge of disappointment listening to this album since the things he was saying 30+ years ago are still highly relevant in the United States today. Yet, those feelings are easily overcome because the album just makes you want to thrash around like a manic. Ahh, to be 15 again. While American Paranoia isn’t the absolute, quintessential crossover record, it is a heavy hitter of blasting, youthful fury.
Listen to "Dead Serious" here.
Some of the follow up material from this album was pretty good as well. I have a CD from TAANG! that has three albums, including this one, on a single disc. Looks like they had a comeback album in 2016 - never heard that one.
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