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No Cash
Run Your Pockets


3.5
great

Review

by smokersdieyounger USER (32 Reviews)
July 27th, 2006 | 35 replies


Release Date: 2003 | Tracklist


From the opening of this record, you know your in for something heavy, from the cover you know its going to be similar to the nihilism of Leftover Crack. But one thing betrays this comparison. No Cash can play thier instruments. While Leftover Crack's records are mostly made up of ''shock politics'', samples and fast beats, although No Cash offer much of the same, they also can play and also bring thier powerful instrumentation to thier record.

Although the band are not up to the musicianship most sputnikers are accustomed to, within punk rock, No Cash are more like a band who have been playing for five years, not yet growing tired, and coming into thier own. Very surprising for a bands first (and likely final) release.

Unusually for a punk rock record, this begins with an instrumental, 'Samurais Of The Sea' opening with a scream more welcome in a ''Nu Goth-Emo'' record which is built up around a brooding guitar solo by Judd which quickly brings it away from those camp shock rock styles.

As soon as this comes into its own as the first song-proper of the record, you will be scrabbling through the liner notes to see if the STZA has featured on this record as much as you would expect. Which brings me to a major criticism, they are Leftover Crack emulators. I do like Leftover Crack and No Cash, and although No Cash do come into thier own much of the time, they lack the ska beats or black metal references which initially drew me to Leftover Crack. They are closer to Poison the Well than Emporer in thier heaviest moments, and there is only one ska beat on the record.

Luckily though, unlike Leftover Crack they dont write a minutes worth of material for a song and then build it up with samples and slogans. No Cash can write a good hook, and the musicians all gel very well together with many melodies defying the bleak messages and anger within the record.

A good example of this is 'Knowlege is Power' although it begins with a sample, No Cash don't require repeated choruses ad naseum in order to keep the song going. this has many guitar riffs cheekily chipping around Big C's vocal hooks, the instrumentals for this song also build into a ska beat and a thrashing hardcore tune towards the end, before thundering back into the final chorus as a closer.

'Skate or Die' begins with a melodic tune, which is reminiscient of Pop Punk bands playing thier one most meaningful song. Big C's vocals don't clean up for this part though, singing slow, soulfully yet still croaking his voice sticking with the 'Crack Rock'style.

'Pierce the Gates' stands out as the one song with a prominent ska beat. Although it begins with a heavy twisting guitar riff, it soon breaks into a fast paced ska rhythm, with Big C's croaky rapping keeping pace on top. This song switches evenly between this ska rhythm with Big C's raspy raps, and thrash with Big C roaring as scarily as he can. This song is one of the records highlights, and its concerned with something close to the band's hearts. This is about the corporate hold on American christianity, and the way some Christians are trying to control others with fear, power and money. Although thier screams of 'Burn a Church' annoy me quite a bit I can still enjoy it, as No Cash fans haven't taken it upon themselves to do so.

The Goonies may have become THE must have scenester irony badge of pride, but No Cash have used them as an unlikely and effective sample for 'A Better Tomorrow', more likely because it was a popular film when they were young, than they have seen other 'cool' people walking around in a fake faded Goonies T Shirt. The Goonies is actually about some children making money in an unconventional way in order to challenge a corporation who wish to flatten thier nieghbourhood. Within the liner notes there is a comparison in No Cash's general message of making money but not through the conventional American methods, taking inspiration from The Goonies, Scarface and Hip Hop.

In conclusion, if you have seen through Leftover Crack's musicianship, want some hardcore attitude and think you will enjoy half an hours heavy nihilism, this record is for you. However, if you are not a fan of the Crack Rock Steady style, then you won't find much to change your mind here.



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user ratings (126)
4.2
excellent

Comments:Add a Comment 
IgniteYourAvail
July 27th 2006


41 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Awesome album. Like Leftover Crack and Latterman rolled into a ball. Of course, the Latterman reference only goes for a few songs, but you get the idea.

Best song on there is "Knowledge is Power" easily.

Rockafella
July 27th 2006


88 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Nuh uh Gasoline ftw.

Zebra
Moderator
July 27th 2006


2647 Comments


I hate Leftover Crack so it's highly unlikely that I will actually enjoy this record. The only real hardcore ska band that I still listen to is Choking Victim.
Good review.

Laafe
July 27th 2006


347 Comments


i like ska a lot, mostly older stuff like desomd dekker, but ive heard a few LC songs and their okay. i might check this out.

nice review.

smokersdieyounger
July 28th 2006


672 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Thanks for the feedback, I just felt this record was over rated. I thought this luke warm review would annoy some people. Nevermind.

Rockafella
August 3rd 2006


88 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

After relistening to this, I realize that this album f'ucking rips.

Zesty Mordant
August 4th 2006


1196 Comments


I dig LC so I'm probably gonna check this out.

BlastFunk03
August 4th 2006


83 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I think No-Cash has a lot of potential, but the awkward vocals kinda hold it back.

smokersdieyounger
August 6th 2006


672 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

someone who thinks this is an amazing record should do a review.

f_u_c_t
August 6th 2006


1406 Comments


i dont think you mentioned it in the review, but from where does "No Cash" hail from?

GoatWarrior
October 3rd 2006


1 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Zebra wrote:

hate Leftover Crack so it's highly unlikely that I will actually enjoy this record. The only real hardcore ska band that I still listen to is Choking Victim.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------

HA. That's funny. Leftover Crack IS choking vitcim minus the drummer, so.....you're so full of it.



Zesty Mordant
October 3rd 2006


1196 Comments


actually, as far as I know only stza and ezra from Choking Victim are in Leftover Crack (which usually has around 5 members) and even then, both bands sound very different.
so no, Zebra is not full of shit.

Marky_Mark
December 14th 2006


1 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Knowledge is Power rules, however I prefer Gasoline.

BJtheman
March 31st 2007


15 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

dont ya think its pretty hard to say that loc cant play their instruments? grant it no cash flows better as a core group but i dont think a question of loc's musicianship is fair

RISEAGAINST8934
April 25th 2007


15 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

I feel that LOC is a very good band but the way they carry on about the goverment is a little over board.; Almost every song includes something about how much america sucks. Im not saying it doesnt. Another thing is this band sounds nothing like LOC and in my personal opinion No-Ca$h is a better band and LOC or any of the Crack Rock Steady 7 will never top them because they are nothing alike.

Human2point0
July 10th 2007


7 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

One of the best of the crack rock steady bands. I loved all the tracks, favs. being: Life sucks, and knowledge is power.

Goku
August 6th 2007


253 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I love all the crack rocksteady bands, and My favorite song on this album is life sucks.

drasticaction74
October 8th 2008


1945 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

"i dont think you mentioned it in the review, but from where does "No Cash" hail from?"



They're from Nazareth, PA.

and the song "Run Your Pockets" makes this CD one of the best PA Punk records.



Another amazing punk CD from PA is Staticboy's "Derelict". They were never signed, but the disc is fantastic. I recommend it for fans of Horror-Punk.

IM me if you're interested in a copy (drasticaction74).

bungy
April 16th 2011


9009 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

FUCK THA USA

sixthgoldenticket
June 2nd 2011


1176 Comments


almost everything about this is so fucking catchy




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