Community hub
0 subscribers7 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Hard Volume.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Hard Volume
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
| Hard Volume | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Recorded | July–December 1988 | |||
| Genre | Post-hardcore[1] | |||
| Length | 71:03 | |||
| Label | Texas Hotel | |||
| Producer | Theo Van Rock | |||
| Rollins Band chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| Alternative Press | p.97-8, 4/00 |
| The Austin Chronicle | [3] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [4] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [5] |
| Punknews.org | [6] |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 5/10[7] |
| Sputnikmusic | 5/5[8] |
Hard Volume is the second studio album by American rock band Rollins Band, released in 1989.[9][10][11] It was reissued with previously unreleased tracks in 1999 through Buddah Records.[12]
The original CD release contained a 32-minute jam on the Velvet Underground outtake "Move Right In," titled "Joy Riding with Frank." The track was recorded live in Linz, Austria, during the band's 1988 tour. The 1999 remastered edition replaced this track with six studio tracks: three from the album session at Echo Sound in Los Angeles in December 1988, and three from a demo session recorded in July 1988 at Graphic Studios in New Jersey.
Critical reception
[edit]Trouser Press wrote that Rollins "sinks into an existential funk on the seven-song Hard Volume ... Oddly, the rest of the band seems unaffected by his moods, and the music — a well-organized rock juggernaut — thunders along happily."[13] Dave Thompson, in Alternative Rock, called the album "a funked-up swagger that is moody and electrically eclectic."[14]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks composed by the Rollins Band, except where indicated.
Original release
[edit]- "Hard" – 4:06
- "What Have I Got" – 4:58
- "I Feel Like This" – 4:26
- "Planet Joe" – 4:18
- "Love Song" – 6:22
- "Turned Inside Out" – 6:24
- "Down and Away" – 8:20
- "Joy Riding with Frank" - 32:04
Remastered version (1999)
[edit]- "Hard" – 4:06
- "What Have I Got" – 4:58
- "I Feel Like This" – 4:26
- "Planet Joe" – 4:18
- "Love Song" – 6:22
- "Turned Inside Out" – 6:24
- "Down and Away" – 8:20
Session outtakes
[edit]- "Tearing" – 4:58*
- "You Didn't Need" – 5:11*
- "Ghost Rider" (Martin Rev, Alan Vega) – 7:23*
Demo: July 1988
[edit]- "What Have I Got" – 4:33*
- "Thin Air" – 8:21*
- "Down and Away" – 7:14*
Personnel
[edit]Rollins Band
[edit]- Henry Rollins – vocals
- Chris Haskett – guitar
- Andrew Weiss – bass
- Sim Cain – drums, percussion
Production
[edit]- Theo Van Rock – producer, mixing
- Rae DiLeo – mixing
- George Marino – mastering (1999 remaster)
- Wally Traugott – mastering (1989 original)
- Jeff Aguila – design
References
[edit]- ^ "Rollins Band - Hard Volume".
- ^ "Hard Volume - Rollins Band | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ "Henry Rollins and Rollins Band". www.austinchronicle.com.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 7. MUZE. p. 122.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 953.
- ^ "Rollins Band - Hard Volume". www.punknews.org. December 13, 2002.
- ^ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. pp. 335–336.
- ^ "Review: Rollins Band - Hard Volume | Sputnikmusic". www.sputnikmusic.com.
- ^ "Rollins Band | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- ^ "Henry ROLLINS biography". The Great Rock Bible. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ Buckley, Peter (December 30, 2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. ISBN 9781843531050 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Artist News". CMJ New Music Report. CMJ Network, Inc. November 15, 1999 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Rollins Band". Trouser Press. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ Thompson, Dave (December 30, 2000). Alternative Rock. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780879306076 – via Google Books.
Hard Volume
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Background and recording
Band context
The Rollins Band was formed in 1987 by vocalist Henry Rollins following the breakup of Black Flag in 1986, marking his transition from the hardcore punk group to a new ensemble focused on broader rock explorations. The initial lineup consisted of Rollins on lead vocals, Chris Haskett on guitar, Andrew Weiss on bass, and Sim Cain on drums, with Haskett having previously collaborated with Rollins on the 1987 solo release Hot Animal Machine. This configuration drew from Rollins' post-Black Flag solo spoken-word tours and rock-oriented recordings, evolving toward an experimental sound that incorporated elements beyond traditional hardcore punk.[8][9] The band's debut album, Life Time, arrived in 1987 and received recognition within the post-hardcore scene for its intense energy and production by Ian MacKaye, capturing live-like ferocity while hinting at stylistic expansion. Released on Texas Hotel Records, a small independent label based in Santa Monica that championed alternative rock acts, Life Time built a dedicated following and anticipation for subsequent work amid the late-1980s underground circuit.[10][11][12]Studio sessions
The recording sessions for Hard Volume spanned from July to December 1988 across two primary locations. Initial work took place in July 1988 at Graphic Studios in New Jersey, where bonus tracks 11 through 13 were captured and later mixed by Theo Van Rock.[13] The bulk of the album, encompassing tracks 1 through 10, was recorded and mixed in December 1988 at Echo Sound in Los Angeles, California, under the engineering of Rae Dileo.[13][2] Theo Van Rock, a sound engineer and associate of Ian MacKaye who served as the band's longtime audio consultant, produced the album with an emphasis on preserving the Rollins Band's intense, unpolished live-band dynamic, blending post-hardcore aggression with funk-infused grooves and noise rock experimentation.[13][14] The lineup during these sessions included Henry Rollins on vocals, Chris Haskett on guitar, Andrew Weiss on bass, and Sim Cain on drums.[13] The sessions were marked by significant logistical and personal challenges, including tight budgets that forced the band to sleep on the studio floor amid cramped conditions and mounting exhaustion.[15] Rollins, in particular, battled strep throat and sleep deprivation while managing tour logistics, contributing to tense atmospheres with occasional flare-ups among members.[15] One notable incident involved finalizing the mix for "I Feel Like This" merely three hours before the group's departure for an Australian tour, underscoring the high-pressure timeline.[15] Primary tracking wrapped by late 1988, with the album's production fully completed in early 1989 ahead of its release.[13]Music and lyrics
Musical style
Hard Volume represents a pivotal evolution in the Rollins Band's sound, firmly establishing post-hardcore as its primary genre while blending heavy bluesy grooves, noisy guitar textures, and occasional metal riffs.[5] The album departs from the straight-ahead hardcore of the band's debut Life Time (1987), embracing a more eclectic approach that incorporates experimental elements and inventive rhythms, creating a complex sonic storm driven by jazz influences rather than punk simplicity alone.[16] This shift results in a raw, aggressive production that amplifies intensity, with bulldozing tracks that mix hard-swinging metal and bluesy undertones, allowing the music to groove and breathe amid its ferocity.[6] A key innovation lies in guitarist Chris Haskett's angular, effects-heavy guitar work, which draws from influences like Robert Fripp and Rowland S. Howard to deliver jarring, geometric melodies and non-lyrical tension, often visualized as angular geometry in his playing style.[17] Haskett's contributions add noisy, overdriven layers that enhance the album's sludge-like textures, particularly in tracks featuring crushing riffs and avant-garde solos. Complementing this is drummer Sim Cain's propulsive rhythms, which blend jazz subtlety and punk power for a dynamic, varied attack beyond standard hard rock drumming, providing precision and electric drive to the ensemble's thundering juggernaut.[16][18] His performance infuses the music with inventive, storm-like propulsion, evident in the album's ability to shift from minimalistic builds to full-force assaults. Specific tracks exemplify these characteristics: "Hard" opens with aggressive, fast-paced riffs that flirt with hardcore and jazzy elements, setting a rollicking tone of raw power.[19] In contrast, "Love Song" incorporates extended jamming with a creepy, building atmosphere that evokes psychedelic unease through its spastic, minimalistic structure and psychotic intensity.[19][20] Overall, these elements mark Hard Volume as more "funked-up" and diverse than Life Time's focused angst, pushing artistic freedom into meandering, tempo-shifting explorations that highlight the band's proficiency.[21][6]Themes and influences
The lyrics of Hard Volume predominantly explore themes of alienation, existential angst, and raw emotional turmoil, conveyed through Henry Rollins' visceral, shouted vocal delivery that echoes his spoken-word performances. These elements stem from Rollins' post-Black Flag experiences, capturing a sense of personal isolation and inner conflict amid the demands of constant touring and punk life.[22] Specific songs illustrate these concepts vividly: "What Have I Got?" delves into self-doubt and individual struggle, with Rollins questioning his worth in a raw, introspective rant. In contrast, "Planet Joe," dedicated to the band's roadie Joe Cole, employs surreal, dreamlike imagery to portray profound distress and detachment, evoking a need for external intervention in one's fractured psyche.[22][20] The bonus track "Joy Riding with Frank," a 32-minute live jam covering the Velvet Underground's "Move Right In," functions as an improvisational outlet channeling chaotic energy and unresolved tension, inspired by the surrealism of David Lynch's Blue Velvet.[22][20] Influences on the album's thematic core include the unyielding punk ethos of Black Flag, which prioritized confrontational honesty and anti-establishment fury, as well as literary figures like Charles Bukowski, whose depictions of gritty, alcohol-fueled introspection shaped Rollins' exploration of human frailty and rage. Additionally, funk pioneers such as James Brown informed the rhythmic intensity behind the lyrics' delivery, infusing the content with a propulsive, sweat-drenched urgency reminiscent of Brown's energetic persona.[22][20]Release and promotion
Original release
Hard Volume was released in 1989 by the Rollins Band on the independent label Texas Hotel Records, available in both LP and CD formats under the catalog number TEX.18.[1] The vinyl edition featured two sides totaling seven tracks, while the CD version included an additional extended track, the 32-minute live jam "Joy Riding with Frank," recorded in Linz, Austria, during the band's 1988 European tour.[23][24] Promotion for the album centered on an extensive U.S. tour. Commercially, Hard Volume achieved modest success in the underground scene.Reissues and variants
The 1992 CD reissue of Hard Volume was released by Texas Hotel in the United States, serving as a straightforward digital format update to the original 1989 LP without alterations to the tracklist or packaging. In 1999, Buddha Records issued a remastered edition featuring the original album tracks plus six previously unreleased outtakes and demos from 1988 sessions. The remastering, handled by engineer George Marino at Sterling Sound, enhanced audio clarity and dynamics, resulting in a fuller sound profile compared to prior pressings. This version omitted the bonus track "Joy Riding with Frank."[13] A silver vinyl reissue appeared in 2021 via World Service as a European import, adhering faithfully to the original LP tracklist without bonus content or modifications. This pressing catered to vinyl collectors seeking a colorful variant of the classic artwork and sequencing.[25][7] Other variants include digital streaming availability on platforms such as Spotify, broadening access to the album's core tracks for modern listeners. The album was also originally released internationally in 1989, including editions in the UK on World Service, in Australia on Waterfront Records, and in Canada on Fringe Product.[1]Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Upon its release in 1989, Hard Volume garnered positive attention in alternative and punk music publications for its intense energy, genre-blending style, and Rollins' visceral lyricism, though some critics found the experimental aspects uneven. In a contemporary review for Trouser Press, Ira Robbins highlighted the album's "existential funk," quoting lyrics from tracks like "What Have I Got" ("I’ve got a wantless need…I am a clenched fist/Looking for a wall to kiss") and "Down and Away" ("I am the last place that I want to be"), while praising the band's unaffected, robust performance as a "well-organized rock juggernaut" that "thunders along happily," positioning it as a strong evolution from the debut Life Time.[16] Metal Hammer included Hard Volume among the best albums of 1989, recognizing its muscular post-hardcore sound and fusion of funk, jazz, and hardcore elements as a notable contribution to the year's heavy music landscape.[26] CMJ New Music Report praised the album's "searing intensity" and Rollins' "commanding howl," noting its role in pushing punk beyond its boundaries.[27] Overall, the reception was enthusiastic among punk-oriented outlets for the record's raw power and Rollins' charismatic presence, while broader mainstream coverage was more divided on its pacing and experimental leanings.Retrospective assessments
In retrospective assessments from the 2000s onward, Hard Volume has been praised for its raw intensity and lasting impact on post-hardcore and alternative rock, contrasting with its initial mixed reception. A 2002 review on Punknews.org highlighted the added depth provided by the 1999 remastered reissue's inclusion of six previously unreleased tracks from 1989 sessions, such as demos of "Tearing" and "Ghostrider," which offer further insight into the band's transitional sound.[19] The album's enduring influence was further emphasized in a 2018 Sputnikmusic review, which gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 rating and described it as a "ferocious sophomore" effort that amped up the experimental hardcore elements of the band's debut while incorporating bluesy and jazzy undertones for timeless appeal.[6] Dave Thompson's review for AllMusic captured the album's distinctive vibe as one of "moody and eclectic swagger," emphasizing its raw, boundary-pushing appeal within the alternative rock scene.[2] AllMusic's user ratings average around 4 out of 5 stars (equivalent to 7.6/10 based on 37 reviews), underscoring its role in shaping post-hardcore's aggressive evolution.[2] The album's legacy extends to influencing nu-metal and alternative acts through its fusion of funk, noise, and Rollins' cathartic vocals, as noted in analyses of 1990s alternative metal scenes.[28] As of 2025, Hard Volume has not seen major anniversary celebrations, yet streaming data indicates steady listener engagement, with the Rollins Band accumulating over 87,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and consistent plays across platforms for key tracks like "Hard" and "Turned Inside Out."[14]Track listing
1989 original edition
The 1989 original edition of Hard Volume features seven studio tracks recorded and mixed in December 1988 at Echo Sound in Los Angeles, with a total runtime of 33:57 for those tracks.[1] The album opens with the aggressive opener "Hard," a high-energy post-hardcore track showcasing the band's raw intensity and Rollins' commanding vocals. This is followed by "What Have I Got," a proof of Rollins' personal triumph reflecting inner struggles and resilience through introspective lyrics and driving rhythms.[29] "I Feel Like This" delivers a tense, emotional build-up with angular guitar work, while "Planet Joe" incorporates jazz-inflected elements into the hardcore framework, named after the band's roadie. The side-long "Love Song" stands out as a slow-building epic and ode to obsessive love, with simple yet disturbing lyrics exploring rejection and fixation over nearly six and a half minutes of brooding tension.[29] "Turned Inside Out" amplifies the emotional core with gut-wrenching vocals and aggressive guitars, emphasizing themes of vulnerability. The album closes the studio portion with the concise, blistering "Down and Away," a classic highlighting the band's tight musicianship and furious pace.[5]| No. | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Hard" | 4:06 |
| 2 | "What Have I Got" | 4:58 |
| 3 | "I Feel Like This" | 4:26 |
| 4 | "Planet Joe" | 4:18 |
| 5 | "Love Song" | 6:22 |
| 6 | "Turned Inside Out" | 6:24 |
| 7 | "Down and Away" | 3:23 |
1999 remastered edition
The 1999 remastered edition of Hard Volume was issued on CD by Buddha Records (catalog 74465 99688 2), expanding the original 1989 album with six previously unreleased bonus tracks drawn from the band's 1988 recording sessions. This reissue, digitally remastered by Henry Rollins and finalized by engineer George Marino at Sterling Sound in New York in September 1999, features enhanced audio fidelity, including greater clarity and dynamic range compared to the initial pressing.[13][15] The core album consists of the seven original tracks, recorded and mixed in December 1988 at Echo Sound in Los Angeles by producer Theo Van Rock and engineer Rae DiLeo. The bonus material includes two outtakes from those sessions ("Tearing" and "You Didn't Need"), a cover of Suicide's "Ghost Rider," and three early demos recorded in July 1988 at Graphic Studios in New Jersey ("What Have I Got," "Thin Air," and "Down and Away"). These additions, mixed by Theo Van Rock, provide insight into the band's creative process during the pre-album phase, with the demos showcasing rawer, less polished arrangements. The total runtime of the edition is 76:34.[13][15]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hard | Rollins, Haskett, Weiss, Cain | 4:06 | Original album track |
| 2 | What Have I Got | Rollins, Haskett, Weiss, Cain | 4:58 | Original album track |
| 3 | I Feel Like This | Rollins, Haskett, Weiss, Cain | 4:26 | Original album track |
| 4 | Planet Joe | Rollins, Haskett, Weiss, Cain | 4:18 | Original album track |
| 5 | Love Song | Rollins, Haskett, Weiss, Cain | 6:22 | Original album track |
| 6 | Turned Inside Out | Rollins, Haskett, Weiss, Cain | 6:24 | Original album track |
| 7 | Down and Away | Rollins, Haskett, Weiss, Cain | 8:20 | Original album track |
| 8 | Tearing | Rollins, Haskett, Weiss, Cain | 4:58 | Outtake from 1988 sessions |
| 9 | You Didn't Need | Rollins, Haskett, Weiss, Cain | 5:11 | Outtake from 1988 sessions |
| 10 | Ghost Rider | Martin Rev, Alan Vega | 7:23 | Cover of Suicide song |
| 11 | What Have I Got | Rollins, Haskett, Weiss, Cain | 4:33 | July 1988 demo |
| 12 | Thin Air | Rollins, Haskett, Weiss, Cain | 8:21 | July 1988 demo |
| 13 | Down and Away | Rollins, Haskett, Weiss, Cain | 7:14 | July 1988 demo |