Artist: Hot Cross
Album: Fair Trades and Farewells
Label: Level Plane
Tracks: 6
Reviewed By: Chaz
This is the second album by Hot Cross that I have had the privilege to review. They have been one of my favorite bands for sometime now and I am thoroughly impressed by each album that they release. Last year they blew me away with their first full length "Cryonics". It was favorite album of last year. This year, Hot Cross has come back with a new album and a "new" sound. Their new album is a six song EP titled "Fair Trades and Farewells". Their "new" sound is not unlike their old sound, it is just more polished, organized, and progressive.

This "new" sound flows through every part of the band, from the vocals to the drums and especially the guitar work. Casey Boland is the best guitar player I have ever heard. I know that is a bold statement and I know that there has been hundreds of amazing guitar players to hold an axe but Casey is the most amazing one that I have ever had the pleasure of hearing over a stereo and seeing live. His complex guitar work flows through each song and pushes Hot Cross above and beyond anyone on the playing field. The one thing that amazes me about this band is their uncompromising attitude and their willingness to experiment and grow. They are not afraid to do anything because they have passion and love for music and it is evident in every song and every album and this album is no exception. This is an EP. A teaser. That is it's only flaw but if every band put half of the energy into a recording that Hot Cross does, the punk/hardcore scene would be hot bed for passion and creativity and not dead beat wanna-be's.