Hazen Street - Hazen Street [Bonus Track] (CD)

All Music Guide

Though it sticks tight to its tough guy mythology, Hazen Street's selftitled debut makes some drastic stylistic jumps. Opener "Are You Ready?" is a furious slab of classicistleaning N.Y.C. hardcore, which isn't surprising considering the presence of Madball vets Freddy Cricien (vocalist) and Hoya (bass) in the Hazen fold. But with bigshot producer Howard Benson involved and a twovocalist setup that also features H20's Toby Morse, Hazen uses its ammo to blast out everything from hardcore and punk revivalism to vague raprock and stuff that exists somewhere between all three. "Fool the World" asserts that, since Cricien's actually been in the hoosegow, any wouldbe toughs should probably step off. "Written" really has the P.O.D. vibe; it's raptinged verses are a sonic cousin to that group's "Boom," and even does a bit of streetlevel preaching ("It's written like the ink stains on my skin...Only God can judge me...."). "Trouble" recasts the macho stance "Everywhere we go/Trouble seems to f...ind me" over a lighthearted chorus that's closer to the mainstream alt.rock of an outfit like Lit. Sure, on Hazen Street, there are more Fwords and tattoos. But the crossover intent for "Trouble" and rousing revivalist cuts like "Stick Up Kid" is undeniable. The mantra of past mistakes making the here and now better or past fights just making Cricien and Morse stronger covers every inch of the record. It's in the sortof ballad "Tomorrow" (listen to those harmonized guitars) and the similarly introspective melodic punk of "Back Home"; it becomes Hazen Street's main landmark, since the band cherrypicks from so many styles. It's a wellplayed effort with some damn catchy choruses. It's just difficult to figure out where this Street leads. [A Japanese version added a bonus track.] - Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide Read more Less