One: 21 was born in the latter days of 1995 in “The City Of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. The offspring of the now deceased band, Uzziah, it started with four members: Ken Klein on Vocals, Paul Sanders (formerly with The Invaders) on guitar, Tom Manns on bass and Vince Radcliffe on drums. Kris Klein would join later on guitar. Just months after forming, One:21 recorded a ten-song demo. That recording allowed the band to contribute “This Is Our Riot” to Boot To Head’s Trampled compilation and release a six-song seven inch for Sofa Records entitled JxIxSx, which stands for “Jehovah Is Strength.” The original ten-song recording was passed along to Flying Tart Records on the “b-side” of a tape sent by Cliff Powell of The Huntingtons to the label’s former manager, Alex Parker. After hearing the first four songs Parker quickly contacted the band by phone and offered them a contract. However, it was not until after negotiation with Parker at Cornerstone 95 that we chose to sign and on July 25, 1996 the contract was sealed.
One 21 appeared on Flying Tart’s Starball Contribution, with the seven-inch version of “Jehovah Is Strength”, on the Christmas In Heaven sampler with “Carol Of the Bells” (which was recorded at Clay Creek Studios in Delaware) and on the Memorial Sampler with “This Is Our Riot” from their Flying Tart EP. The band took advantage of the Clay Creek Studios to record our first official release for Flying Tart, a seven-song EP called, In The Year King Uzziah Died. The album contained “Cooler Than You Think,” “This Is Our Riot,” “Johnny,” “In The Year King Uzziah Died,” “Jehovah Is Strength,” “Cleanser,” and “Front.” One 21 had begun to record a full length for Flying Tart shortly before the label folded. The band found themselves without a label home, and in possession of their biggest-budgeted, finest-sounding record to date.
Not one historically known to pass on a good thing when it comes by (Third Day, Age of Faith, Squad Five-O, L.S.U., Elder, etc.), gray dot, inc. quickly seized the opportunity to sign One:21 to an exclusive recording contract to its modern rock arm, Bulletboy Music, and agreed to release the already-recorded LP, When the Dragon is Finally Laid to Rest, as the band’s first release.
Like many of their fellow bands, One 21 is a touring band, on the road for three years now. After playing birthday parties, clubs, bars, churches, backyards, etc. the band toured the country in the summer of ’97. The tour was cut short due to vehicle problems, but before it was over, One 21 had played the Underground Stage, with Blaster The Rocket Boy and Focal Point at Cornerstone ’97, and The Main Stage with The Supertones at The Funkduvious Festival ’97 in Alberta Canada. They have also played at New York City’s infamous CBGB’s and in “Sin City,” Las Vegas. One:21 has shared the stage with Crashdog, The Migraines, 90 lb. Wuss, Slick Shoes, Speedy Delivery, Ghoti Hook, Left Out, The Blamed, Dogwood, Tickle Watson, Pink Daffodils, Zao, Seasons In The Field, Pensive, Strongarm, Nailed Promise, The Evicted, Redy Serve, Divinity Pose, The Huntingtons, Step Ahead, The Invaders and many other bands.
One-21 has put together an album that, despite staying with a recognizable punk sound, has enough unique twists to keep it memorable to all listeners. The album opens with “Runaway”, a catchy song that is as diverse as it is memorable, with a mellow but upbeat chorus that contrasts with the full-speed-ahead gusto of the verses. The album goes from fast to slow and back again through the whole album, such as when the mellow acoustic track “Building Better Bombs” gives way to the much faster “We’ll Meet Again”. With such a diverse tone, the sheer `wholeness’ of the album is remarkable–not a single song seems out of place.
This is an album that, though clearly punk, doesn’t sound quite like any other album in the genre–and depending on how you look at it, that’s either its best trait or its worst. The vocals are a good example of this. The creative use of vocals, ranging from all the band singing in chorus to individual singers alternating lines, grabbed my attention, but will most listeners find it interesting enough to overcome the below-average voices of the vocalists?
Likewise, the abrupt changes in the `feel’ of songs, as in the jump between the chorus and verses of “Smells Like Death”, are a great way that the band spices up its style–but I doubt all listeners will feel the same, instead seeing the lack of unity of tone as noisy or boring. This is an album that you can’t appreciate unless you accept it on its own terms.
That said, the album will definitely satisfy someone looking for something new. Highlights like “Pacified” and “Shelter”, with memorable riffs and lyrics that are serious without taking themselves too seriously, should win over many listeners. Overall, this is a CD that will earn more than its share of spins in my stereo.
Download Here: http://www.mediafire.com/?iljmumgvgmb
Original Release Date: August 28, 2001
1. Runaway
2. Nothing to Lose
3. Pacified
4. Smells Like Death
5. Looking Out for Me
6. Good Guys Wear Whte Hats and So Do Bad Guys
7. Building Better Bombs
8. We’ll Meet Again
9. Have We Eyes to See
10. Peculiar Nation
11. Shelter
12. Made in America
13. R.I.P. Basement Records
Players:
* Kenny Klein-Vocals
* Paul Sanders-Guitar
* Tom Manns-Bass
* Adam Garbinski-Guitar
* Vince Radcliffe-Drums
* Kris Klein-Guitar
Regards,
Deathisvictory
