Born to Expire
| Born to Expire | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
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| Studio album by Leeway | ||||
| Released | January, 1989 | |||
| Recorded | November, 1987 Normandy Sound, Warren, Rhode Island, USA |
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| Genre | Crossover thrash, hardcore punk | |||
| Length | 37:44 | |||
| Label | Profile Records/Rock Hotel Another Planet (reissue) |
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| Producer | Chris Williamson | |||
| Leeway chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |    [1] |
| Kerrang! | [2] |
Born to Expire is the debut album from New York band, Leeway.
It was recorded in November, 1987. Delays postponed its release to January, 1989 – jointly on Rock Hotel and Profile Records. It was followed up by Desperate Measures in 1991. In 1996, Another Planet re-issued the album on the same CD as Desperate Measures.
Overview
Lyrically and vocally, Leeway were firmly rooted in the hardcore punk genre as could also be seen by the company they chose to keep – Corrosion of Conformity, Bad Brains, Circle Jerks, Sick Of It All, and Prong to name but a few. Musically, however, it was most definitely metal and a compromise label of thrash/crossover was achieved but still left a few questions unanswered. In truth, many fans of both genres had their likes and dislikes – even between songs.
Guitarist and songwriter, A.J. Novello, had this to say on the dichotomy caused by this album:
"(the album) came out and surprised everyone because it was totally metallic sounding... (it) re-wrote the book on New York hardcore. Leeway just about killed hardcore because we used heavy guitar sounds and spent time on actual tones and textures instead of throwing things together haphazardly." [3]
Most of the songs are played at thrash metal pace but at hardcore punk-style track lengths. The band even had time to experiment with rap and funk on "Catholic High School".
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Eddie Sutton and A.J. Novello, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Rise and Fall" (Sutton, Novello, Ackerman) | 3:54 |
| 2. | "Mark of the Squealer" | 3:40 |
| 3. | "Be Loud" | 2:18 |
| 4. | "On the Outside" | 3:25 |
| 5. | "Defy You" | 3:09 |
| 6. | "Enforcer" | 3:48 |
| 7. | "Tools for War" | 3:08 |
| 8. | "Born to Expire" | 4:07 |
| 9. | "Marathon" | 2:14 |
| 10. | "Self Defense" | 1:25 |
| 11. | "Catholic High School (Girls in Trouble)" | 2:01 |
| 12. | "Unexpected" | 4:35 |
Credits
- Eddie Sutton – vocals
- A.J. Novello – guitar
- Michael Gibbons – guitar
- Zowie – bass
- Tony Fontão – drums
- Recorded in November, 1987 at Normandy Sound, Warren, Rhode Island, USA
- Produced by Chris Williamson
- Engineered by Tom Soares
- Assistant engineered by Jamie Locke
- Cover art by Bevin Stone
- Mastered by Howie Weinberg at Masterdisk, New York City, USA
- Re-issue re-mastered by Alan Douches at West Westside Music
Notes
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- ↑ Eric Wielander's liner notes from the 1996 Another Planet re-issue of Born to Expire/Desperate Measures
