None More Black
“Icons”
(Fat Wreck)

When Jason Schevchuk announced that None More Black was reuniting as LaGrecia was breaking up, I was cautiously optimistic. I have generally enjoyed everything that Schevchuk has done and LaGracia’s only album was no exception. Still, None More Black has been one of my favorite Org core bands and I’m always going to want to hear something that they put out.

With its Houdini-illustrated cover, “Icons” is an interesting bag and is probably the most aggressive record that Schevchuk has done since Kid Dynamite. “Backpedal” was the first song that I heard and due to how poppy it is, it’s a misleading song. Most of the songs on the album, like the opener, “Mr. Artistic” and “When Mickey Died” have these killer guitar parts and some cool gang vocals.

I think the part about “Icons” that I enjoyed the most is just how gritty the band sounds while maintaining a certain level of sheen. It’s one of the best qualities of None More Black.

— Ryan Pangilinan