Album Review :
2Minute Minor – Self-Titled and Self-Reflection

After publicly calling it quits last year, 2Minute Minor decided to release one final EP. Due to family commitments, touring and playing live was no longer possible, so rather than keep the band going, they decided to end things. This is that final record. Interestingly former members Marko (on guitar) and Zach (on drums) both returned for the final recording, as well as having lead guitar contributions from none other than Bryan Gray (The Blamed, Left Out, Mortal, Six Feet Deep, et. al.) Mainstays Wiley (vocals), Bob (guitar), and Sean (bass) are back as well.

This is a 2MM release after all, so generally speaking the songs are going to be short and punchy and that is no different here. However, there are a few surprises along the way.

Album opener “No One Gets Out Alive!” kicks things off. The riffing here is strong, one of the best 2MM riffs I’ve heard, to be fair. This is true school hardcore, clearly influenced by the mid-/late 80s sound, but the production is clear and clean—not polished, just clean. The song reminds us to value the time we have in the here and now:

And this is life and no one gets out alive
You can beg for more time or give death bribes
This is life and no one gets out alive
It comes for us all
And things that mattered before
Just don’t matter anymore
And count the days you have
And be thankful for what you got
Even if it’s not a lot

“Out with the New, in with the Old” is at a similar pace to track 1, but with a slightly more metallic approach in the riff. This could almost be crossover thrash, so the title is fitting in at least that way. But the track also reflects on changes in hardcore as well as in society in general:

It’s not the end of the message or the passion
Don’t treat hardcore as a gimmick or a fashion
We’ll always be here cheering on the youth
It’s just their time to speak the truth
In with the new, and out with the old
Our story has been told
Out with the new, and in with the old
Our blood has finally run cold
So much bullsh*t in the world today
I fear my kid can’t go outside to play
When push comes to shove
Where’s the neighborly love?

“Plague of the Earth” opens with a noisy, dissonant intro interrupted by Wiley’s high-pitched scream, then a slow and heavy riff, reminiscent of early 90s “new school” hardcore riffs (like those of the early Spirit-Filled era). The track is a diatribe against lousy attitudes in humanity, specifically in regard to greed and the ways humanity is destroying the earth. The slow, heavy riffs drive the message home.

“Is God Among Us?” picks up the pace again for a more standard hardcore romp with lots of punk influence. So far this track most resembles 2MM’s earlier material. Lyrically the song is a sort of lament and/or philosophical question on the existence of God and the human will. It asks questions that so many of us (including myself) have asked regarding the nature of God and the contrast with the evil that human beings are capable of:

Is God among us?
Left us with free will
Holy one can you hear us?
Human nature is to kill

“Mud City Shakedown” is a rant against the corruption found in politicians and power-hungry authorities. “Self-Reflection” begins a section of major surprises for the band; a section consisting of the final three songs. In the first of these, Wiley employs a different vocal style altogether. In place of the normal shout/scream is a semi-melodic singing style (somewhat similar to early NYHC bands like Gorilla Biscuits, Youth of Today and even Into Another). The song’s title gives away the theme of the song—the need for self-care and connecting with the Creator:

Self-care and self-reflection
Give yourself some needed attention
Self-esteem & self-aware
It’s time for a chant and a prayer
Well life is bigger than you
From the leaves to the roots
Every creature has a place on this earth
God gives life and worth

The next surprise comes in “Prayers with Kate 08”, which can hardly be called a 2Minute Minor song at all. It’s actually a prayer chant with guest vocals from Kate 08 (of 108). This is a krishna prayer. Knowing this would be somewhat controversial for our readers, I asked Wiley about it. He had this to say about the song, his collaboration with Kate 08 and his reasons for including the track: “Yeah that is [a krishna prayer]. Kate 08 was on the podcast [Coffee and Hardcore] and . . . I’ve always been a fan of Krishna core and thought it would be awesome to include Kate from the Krishna core band 108. Since all prayer is praying to the god or God we know and follow I thought it was appropriate. It goes along with the lyrics of the song before it I feel. Also the ‘Is God Among Us?’ song. Krishna believes Jesus was most definitely real. Kate and I had a long talk about it. I just love her passion for her religion and the song is so beautiful.” Agree with him or not, you have to respect his openness to explain why they included a potentially controversial track.

The final surprise comes in the form of “Golden Calf”, which is actually (wait for it . . . ) a reggae song. Wiley still does his typical hardcore scream-sing approach, but it’s over the top of an upbeat reggae tune. The song is a polemic against political violence and warmongering—a much-needed message at this time.

Is this a worthy career-ending album for the band? Yes, and no. There are some great songs here, and the playing by all 6 members is as tight as usual. The three ‘surprise’ songs are definitely interesting and a welcome addition in a genre where experimentation isn’t always welcome. At the same time, it makes me wish we still had more material from the band.

For ordering, visit Steadfast Records.
For streaming or downloading, visit the 2Minute Minor Bandcamp page.