Break Down the Walls

by Youth of Today

Overview

Youth of Today's debut full-length, Break Down the Walls, sounds like standard New York hardcore, but the enormous influence that this disc had on the straight-edge movement is almost immeasurable. Each song is a fast-paced punk slugfest, geared toward the group's angry young male fan base. The performances are sloppy but fierce, and the message is a predictable anti-establishment rant. Positivity, clean living, and the benefits of a fully vented spleen are stressed to a raw extreme, thus establishing a hardcore blueprint for the many artists who followed Youth of Today's example. Highlights include live favorites like "Make a Change" and "Stabbed In the Back." Ray Cappo maintains his vocal intensity throughout all 13 tracks (coming in at around 20 minutes), and the band follows suit with passionate performances. A must-own for straight-edge enthusiasts and New York hardcore scholars, Break Down the Walls is generally considered one of its genres all-time greats. ~ Vincent Jeffries

Product Details

Release Date:	11/11/1997
Label:	Revelation Records
UPC:	0098796000816

Tracks

1. Make a Change
2. Thinking Straight
3. Stabbed in the Back
4. Take a Stand
5. Honesty
6. One Family
7. Break Down the Walls
8. Shout It
9. Time to Forgive
10. Positive Outlook
11. Stand Hard
12. Free at Last
13. Youth of Today

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Youth of Today   Primary Artist
Porcell   Guitar
Drew Thomas   Drums

Technical Credits

Nicholas Dan   Producer
John "Porcell" Porcelly   Composer
Ray Cappo   Composer
Richard Simpson   Mastering