Plan of Attack - The Working Dead (Organized Crime Records)

Reviewed by Mark Oster

Plan of Attack is pissed off. From their thankless blue collar jobs to the current presidential administration, there's alot getting on their nerves. And I'm just getting that from a quick glance at the CD booklet. Then I start the CD: Pure old-school hardcore fury. Nothing like an economic downturn and a Republican president to give politipunk a swift kick to the groin. Aside from the aforementioned terrific CD cover, The Working Dead unleashes 18 tracks of fast and hard guitar driven fury. Few of the no frills tunes clock over 2 minutes long, but they don't need to get their point across (thankfully, printed lyrics are included). The subject matter is primarily frustration with the futility of middle class life, but some political and even scene commentary emerges as well. Like any music, punk and particularly hardcore is always alot more effective if the rage is genuinely motivated, The Working Dead proves this once again to be the case. Plan of Attack turns back the hardcore clock 15 years and should serve as a reminder of what the form is supposed to mean. Recommended for fans of Black Flag, Minor Threat, and all those that followed.

Originally posted in Issue 1.2, September/October 2004