Reviews:

OK. Like most of the other Boston bands at the time (and many others across the country), DYS changed from "traditional" straightforward hardcore to a more mainstream hard rock/metal sound. However, I, for one, find their 1984 LP (dare I say it?) more listenable than the other later Boston stuff, such as "How We Rock" or anything by the Straw Dogs (I said listenable, not that it's my favorite record! Got it Ned?!). What does that mean? Well, I think "No Pain No Gain" is a funny, over-the-top tough hardcore song with funny, over-the-top toughguy lyrics. And the infamous "ballad," it's the same chords as "Rockin' in the Free World," which is not a bad song. So, I don't know, don't expect this record to sound anything like Brotherhood. But me and Jon Anastas can appreciate it for what it is: "the most technically proficient and cleanest sounding record in the history of Hardcore." (to quote Mr. Anastas himself)
-CHRIS