No Motiv - Cynical (CD)

All Music Guide

Oxnard, CA's No Motive released this debut on the local imprint Edge Records originally in 1997. The disc was subsequently re-released in 1999 after the group's successful Vagrant Records debut, And the Sadness Prevails, hit the streets making the band a bit of an emocore success. Recorded while most of the band members were still in their teenage years, Cynical generally sounds a little rough and ill-defined, due in all likelihood to the No Motiv's relative inexperience as performers and songwriters. While nowhere near as accomplished sonically or musically as later efforts from the band, the more hardcore-flavored Cynical has a few nice moments. Highlights include the tracks "Two Years" and "924," that, while not entirely consistent, have enough melody and biting lyrics to interest fans of the group's Vagrant-era recordings. Perhaps for collectors and No Motiv completists only, Cynical is an interesting if not entirely gratifying first effort from one of the West Coast's most substan...tial emocore outfits. - Vincent Jeffries, All Music Guide Read more Less