Harder Than You is the debut album by 24-7 Spyz.[6][7] It was released in 1989 via In-Effect.[8] The album contains elements of several genres. The group flirts with polka on "Tango Skin Polka," introspective political reggae on "Ballots Not Bullets," and speed metal with "Spill My Guts."
| Harder Than You | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Recorded | December 1988 at Platinum Island Studios, New York City, New York | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 41:20 | |||
| Label | In-Effect[1] | |||
| Producer | Robert Musso Jimi Hazel | |||
| 24-7 Spyz chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| Chicago Tribune | [3] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |  [4] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [5] |
The band made a video for MTV for their cover of Kool & the Gang's "Jungle Boogie." The song was remixed into a dance version with extended electronic instrumental passages, and was popular on the club circuit.
Like many 24-7 Spyz albums, the recording is out of print.
Critical reception
editTrouser Press wrote that the band "mixes and matches hardcore punk and tough-minded funk on Harder Than You to achieve a singularly potent blend ... It’s the band’s freewheeling sense of fun that makes [the album] such a visceral joy."[1] The Orlando Sentinel deemed the album "rock-ska-punk-funk-soul-reggae-hip/hop-metal-jazz-polka core."[9] The Encyclopedia of Popular Music praised the "stunning performances from the Jimi Hendrix-worshipping Hazel and the energetic Fluid."[4]
Track listing
edit- "Grandma Dynamite" - 3:45 (Fluid/Hazel)
- "Jimi'z Jam" - 2:25 (Hazel)
- "Spyz Dope" - 2:50 (Fluid)
- "Social Plague" - 4:41 (Skatore)
- "I Must Go On" - 3:01 (Fluid)
- "Ballots Not Bullets" - 4:24 (Fluid)
- "Jungle Boogie" - 3:37 (Fluid/Kool & the Gang/Puelm)
- "Spill My Guts" - 3:37 (Fluid/Skatore/Hazel)
- "Sponji Reggae" - 3:53 (Rose)
- "Tango Skin Polka" - 1:28 (Fluid/Hazel)
- "Pillage" - 4:40 (Fluid/Hazel)
- "New Drug" - 2:55 (Fluid)
Personnel
edit- Rick Skatore — Bass, Vocals (TV Repairman)
- Anthony Johnson — Drums (Electrician)
- P. Fluid — Thoughtman (Plumber)
- Jimi Hazel — Guitars, Vocals (Carpenter)
References
edit- ^ a b "24-7 Spyz". Trouser Press. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Harder Than You - 24-7 Spyz | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ Kot, Greg. "24-7 Spyz Harder Than You (In-Effect/Relativity) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR)(STAR)This..." chicagotribune.com.
- ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8. MUZE. p. 304.
- ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 723.
- ^ "24-7 Spyz | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- ^ "24-7 Spyz's Rock Isn't Colour-Conscious". Los Angeles Times. June 27, 1989.
- ^ "Spins". SPIN. SPIN Media LLC. August 10, 1989 – via Google Books.
- ^ "SPYZ SMUGGLES MUSIC FROM ALL GENRES". OrlandoSentinel.com.