Born to Expire

Infobox Album
Name = Born to Expire
Type = studio
Artist = Leeway


Background = lightsteelblue
Released = January, 1989
Recorded = November, 1987
Normandy Sound,
Warren, Rhode Island, USA
Genre = Metalcore
Crossover thrash
Length = 37:44
Label = Profile Records/Rock Hotel
Another Planet reissue
Producer = Chris Williamson
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|2.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0i5zefwkhgf6 link]
Last album = ---
This album = "Born to Expire"
(1989)
Next album = "Desperate Measures"
(1991)
Misc = Extra album cover
Upper caption = Re-issue cover
Background =


Lower caption = Another Planet 1996 reissue with "Desperate Measures" on same disc |

"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 metalcore 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." [Eric Wielander's liner notes from the 1996 Another Planet re-issue of "Born to Expire"/"Desperate Measures"]

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 by Eddie Sutton and A.J. Novello, unless otherwise stated
#"Rise and Fall" (Sutton, Novello, Ackerman) – 3:54
#"Mark of the Squealer" – 3:40
#"Be Loud" – 2:18
#"On the Outside" – 3:25
#"Defy You" – 3:09
#"Enforcer" – 3:48
#"Tools For War" – 3:08
#"Born to Expire" – 4:07
#"Marathon" – 2:14
#"Self Defense" – 1:25
#"Catholic High School (Girls in Trouble)" – 2:01
#"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

Miscellanea

* In 2006, metalcore band Shadows Fall recorded a cover version of "Mark of the Squealer" for their album, "Fallout from the War"

* The song "Enforcer" has been added to the playlist of the radio show "L.C.H.C" in the game "GTA IV"

Notes

External links

* [http://www.leewaynyc.net Leeway official website]