Why Are We Destroying Ourselves?

Infobox Album
Name = Why Are We Destroying Ourselves?
Type = Album
Artist = Union 13

Released = October 20 1998
Recorded = June 4 – June 15 1998
G-Son Studio
Genre = Hardcore punk
Length = 32:12
Label = Epitaph Records
Producer = Michael Rosen
José Mercado
Union 13
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:ubdxlfjejcqu link]
* In Music We Trust (Favorable) [http://www.inmusicwetrust.com/articles/17p07.html link]
Last album = "East Los Presents..."
(1997)
This album = "Why Are We Destroying Ourselves?"
(1998)
Next album = "Youth, Betrayal and the Awakening"
(2000) |

"Why Are We Destroying Ourselves?" is the second album from East Los Angeles, California band, Union 13.

It was released in October, 1998 on Epitaph Records, and follows their debut on the same label in 1997, "East Los Presents..."

The track "Never Connected" appeared on Epitaph's Punk-O-Rama compilation series earlier in the year, but was re-recorded or re-mixed for this album.

The band line-up remained unchanged from the previous album, but the producer and studio switched.

This album was followed up in 2000 by "Youth, Betrayal and the Awakening" – also on Epitaph Records.

Overview

Musically, the band showed no signs of slowing down from their previous album – although the short, instrumental intro would have you think otherwise.

Again, they refer to their Hispanic-American roots – not only lyrically, singing three songs this time in Spanish, but also some of the melodies are influenced by traditional Spanish music.

When the band do slow to a mid-pace, they are more reminiscent of Rancid – a band who influenced them in their formative years and two members of which were involved in the production of "East Los Presents...".

While production is consistent throughout this recording, it has to be said that it is not as clear as the album before or after this – the Punk-O-Rama version of "Never Connected" is a much better recording.

The band by this time were showing more signs of evolving and expanding their sound which they would carry through to their next offering, "Youth, Betrayal and the Awakening".

Track listing

*All music written by Union 13
*Lyrics on 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 14, 16 by José Mercado
*Lyrics on 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15 by Edward Escoto with Jerry Navarro on 8, 10, 15
#"The End Times" – 0:23
#"Again And Again" – 2:23
#"No Time For Learning" – 2:34
#"A Life's Story" – 2:09
#"If I Knew Then" – 1:14
#"Faith" – 2:00
#"Injusticia Inhumana" – 2:13
#"No Way Out" – 1:54
#"Sobre Vivir" – 2:21
#"Why Are We Destroying Ourselves?" – 1:47
#"Frustrated" – 2:32
#"Camino A La Soledad" – 2:10
#"No More Ideas" – 1:22
#"Never Connected" – 2:01
#"Why" – 1:25
#"Virtual Everafter" – 3:44

Credits

* Edward Escoto – vocals
* José Mercado – guitar
* Ben Sandoval – guitar
* Jerry Navarro – bass
* Louie Villareal – drums

* Recorded June 4 – 15, 1998 at G-Son Studio
* Produced by Michael Rosen, José Mercado, and Union 13
* Engineered and mixed by Michael Rosen
* Brian Foxworthy – studio assistant at G-Son
* Michael Ainsworth – studio assistant at Soundcastle
* Mastered by Eddy Schreyer at Oasis Mastering

External links

* [http://union-13.com/ Union 13 official website]
* [http://www.epitaph.com/artists/artist/82 Epitaph Records band page]
* [http://www.epitaph.com/artists/album/271/ Why Are We Destroying Ourselves on Epitaph]