Produced by Ian MacKaye & Mike Hampton, Rites Of Spring is the sole studio full-length from D.C. post-bardcore outfit Rites of Spring, originally released in 1985. Consisting of Guy Picciotto, Brendan Canty (who would later play drums in Fugazi), Edward Janney, and Mike Fellows, the band was at the core of "Revolution Summer," a phenomenon in circa '85 D.C. that redefined punk, which at the time was overrun by a younger generation of participants whose understanding of the genre had been shaped by sensationalist media. Rites of Spring "challenged the macho posturing" and went against the "musical and stylistic rule," and although the sound was still loud, fast, & furious, the songwriting was more melodic and focused introspective lyrics. Widely considered an early proponent emo, although the band vehemently rejects the notion… Rites Of Spring only played 15 live shows before breaking up, but the "boldness" of the band ranks it among the most influential of the scene. Check out "Spring," "Deeper Than Inside," and "For Want Of."

• music label: Dischord Records 1985 / 2009

reviewed by singing in japanese 01/19