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Co-released between Black Water and Sabotage, ‘Reaching For Eternity’ is the 3rd album from Portland, OR’s Daydream.To say this newest offering paints outside the lines of the average punk record is an understatement. By any measure, this is a through and through hardcore punk record, but there are many pop and art elements giving these 12 tracks a quality that necessitates multiple listens to fully grasp the depths of what this record has to offer. Very smart lyrics that are delicately yelled over top notch musicianship brings to mind more modern groups such as CRAZY SPIRIT, STRAW MAN ARMY or POISON RUIN mixed with the FLUX OF PINK INDIANS, DISCHARGE and the entire Dischord Records catalog (at least from VOID to FUGAZI). These songs are as tough as they are beautiful. Uncomforting as they are soothing. Genre defying without feeling disingenuine or cheesy. Bottom line is: this is one of the better, more creative punk records of 2023. Also comes with a big lyric sheet including Jodorowsky-esque photo’s of the band that intrigues one even further to ask, “who are these fucking weirdos?!” and a poster for your wall to boot.
Our take: Reaching for Eternity is the third album from this Portland hardcore band, which finds them moving from one hometown label, Dirt Cult Records, to another, Black Water Records. I think Daydream’s first three albums having come out on three different labels (France’s Symphony of Destruction being the third) reflects the originality of their sound. They’re hard and fast enough that they make sense on hardcore labels like Symphony of Destruction and Black Water, but rather than jackhammering power chords, they build their songs around riffs that are more interesting and angular. The riffing style reminds me of Drive Like Jehu, and while that combination of angular riffing and a fast hardcore rhythm section might make you think of 90s hardcore, the production is much stronger and the playing more accomplished than, for instance, a lot of Gravity Records releases. Besides that angular riffing, Daydream’s guitarist also has a super loose playing style, which serves as a strong counterpoint to the locked-in rhythm section, with riffs frequently unspooling into feedback. This is smart hardcore that isn’t willing to compromise on energy and power in order to progress musically. An interesting and powerful record.- Label: Black Water Records
- Format Type: 12"
- Media Condition: Mint (M)
- Sleeve Condition: Near Mint (NM or M-)
- Genre: hardcore
- Genre Style: hardcore
- Year: 2023