Best Wishes
Encyclopedia
Best Wishes is the second album by New York hardcore
band, Cro-Mags
. It was released in 1989 on Profile Records
and was subsequently re-released on Another Planet – along with their debut album, The Age Of Quarrel
, on the same disc.
The album's cover reflected the band's interest in the Hare Krishna
religion which started with previous singer John Joseph
and then carried on through Harley Flanagan
who also became a devotee. The Krishna faith was ultimately the demise of the band, as the contradiction of a faith of pacifism against the violence of the band's music was often even too much for the band members to handle. However, before this, in 1992, their next album, Alpha Omega, saw the return of John Joseph
to the Cro-Mags
fold, and an even further gravitation towards a metal sound.
, this album saw a complete change of style as Cro-Mags
entered the crossover thrash
arena, complete with guitar solos. The songs also became longer – averaging around four minutes, whereas over half of Quarrel's songs came in under the two minute mark. There were two line-up changes from the previous album – most notably, John Joseph
's departure paved the way for Harley Flanagan
to take up both bass and vocal duties. Flanagan's was a very different vocal style and it further juxtaposed the band's image from straightout hardcore punk
to a more metal sound. Another change was Pete Hines coming in on drums.
New York hardcore
New York hardcore refers to hardcore punk and metalcore music created in New York City and to the subculture associated with that music. New York hardcore grew out of the hardcore scene established in Washington, D.C., by bands such as Bad Brains and Minor Threat. Hardcore '81 is an album by the...
band, Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags are a hardcore punk turned crossover thrash band from New York City. The band, which had a strong cult following, released many records, their first two considered the most influential...
. It was released in 1989 on Profile Records
Profile Records
Profile Records was a record label that specialized in many types of urban-oriented music, such as hip hop, active until 1996..- History :In 1980, at 23 years old, after working briefly for MCA, Cory Robbins was looking to start a record label. He invited his songwriter friend Steve Plotnicki to be...
and was subsequently re-released on Another Planet – along with their debut album, The Age Of Quarrel
The Age Of Quarrel
The Age of Quarrel is the first album from the New York hardcore band Cro-Mags. It was released on Profile Records in 1986 and subsequently re-released by Another Planet in 1994, along with their second album, 1989's Best Wishes, on the same disc...
, on the same disc.
The album's cover reflected the band's interest in the Hare Krishna
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness , known colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava religious organization. It was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada...
religion which started with previous singer John Joseph
John Joseph (rock singer)
John Joseph McGowan is a punk rock singer from New York City, most famous for his work with the Cro-Mags in the 1980s.Joseph was raised in foster care and grew up on the streets of New York. He was the lead singer for the New York hardcore punk band Cro-Mags from 1984 until 1987, though he...
and then carried on through Harley Flanagan
Harley Flanagan
Harley Frances Flanagan is the founder of the Cro-Mags, an influential 1980s hardcore punk band. Flanagan was the drummer for The Stimulators in 1980, when he was 12...
who also became a devotee. The Krishna faith was ultimately the demise of the band, as the contradiction of a faith of pacifism against the violence of the band's music was often even too much for the band members to handle. However, before this, in 1992, their next album, Alpha Omega, saw the return of John Joseph
John Joseph (rock singer)
John Joseph McGowan is a punk rock singer from New York City, most famous for his work with the Cro-Mags in the 1980s.Joseph was raised in foster care and grew up on the streets of New York. He was the lead singer for the New York hardcore punk band Cro-Mags from 1984 until 1987, though he...
to the Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags are a hardcore punk turned crossover thrash band from New York City. The band, which had a strong cult following, released many records, their first two considered the most influential...
fold, and an even further gravitation towards a metal sound.
Overview
After the short, sharp bursts of song encountered on their previous album, 1986's The Age Of QuarrelThe Age Of Quarrel
The Age of Quarrel is the first album from the New York hardcore band Cro-Mags. It was released on Profile Records in 1986 and subsequently re-released by Another Planet in 1994, along with their second album, 1989's Best Wishes, on the same disc...
, this album saw a complete change of style as Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags are a hardcore punk turned crossover thrash band from New York City. The band, which had a strong cult following, released many records, their first two considered the most influential...
entered the crossover thrash
Crossover thrash
__FORCETOC__Crossover thrash, often abbreviated to crossover, is a form of thrash metal that contains more hardcore punk elements than standard thrash. The genre lies on a continuum between heavy metal and punk rock...
arena, complete with guitar solos. The songs also became longer – averaging around four minutes, whereas over half of Quarrel's songs came in under the two minute mark. There were two line-up changes from the previous album – most notably, John Joseph
John Joseph (rock singer)
John Joseph McGowan is a punk rock singer from New York City, most famous for his work with the Cro-Mags in the 1980s.Joseph was raised in foster care and grew up on the streets of New York. He was the lead singer for the New York hardcore punk band Cro-Mags from 1984 until 1987, though he...
's departure paved the way for Harley Flanagan
Harley Flanagan
Harley Frances Flanagan is the founder of the Cro-Mags, an influential 1980s hardcore punk band. Flanagan was the drummer for The Stimulators in 1980, when he was 12...
to take up both bass and vocal duties. Flanagan's was a very different vocal style and it further juxtaposed the band's image from straightout hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
to a more metal sound. Another change was Pete Hines coming in on drums.
Track listing
- "Death Camps" (Harley FlanaganHarley FlanaganHarley Frances Flanagan is the founder of the Cro-Mags, an influential 1980s hardcore punk band. Flanagan was the drummer for The Stimulators in 1980, when he was 12...
, Doug Holland, Pete Hines) – 5:22 - "Days Of Confusion" (Flanagan) – 2:19
- "The Only One" (Flanagan, Paris M Mayhew) – 4:55
- "Down But Not Out" (Flanagan, Mayhew) – 3:59
- "Crush The Demoniac" (Flanagan, Holland, Mayhew) – 3:56
- "Fugitive" (Flanagan, Holland, Mayhew) – 4:40
- "Then And Now" (Flanagan, Hines) – 3:12
- "Age Of Quarrel" (Flanagan) – 4:45
Credits
- Harley FlanaganHarley FlanaganHarley Frances Flanagan is the founder of the Cro-Mags, an influential 1980s hardcore punk band. Flanagan was the drummer for The Stimulators in 1980, when he was 12...
– vocals, bass - Parris Mitchell Mayhew – guitar
- Doug Holland – guitar
- Pete Hines – drums
- Recorded in 1988-1989 at Normandy Sound, Warren, Rhode IslandWarren, Rhode IslandWarren is a town in Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 10,611 at the 2010 census.-History:Warren was the site of the Indian village of Sowams on the peninsula called Pokanoket , and was first explored by Europeans in 1621, by Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins...
, USA - Produced by Chris Williamson
- Engineered by Tom Soares
- Assistant engineered by Jamie Locke
- Mixed by Chris Williamson and Tom Soares
- Further assistance by Robert Windsor
- Original cover illustration by The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
- Re-issue remastered by Alan Douches at West Westside Music