Description
Token Entry – Weight Of The World – Cassette
Token Entry’s Weight of the World, released in 1990, is a significant album within the New York hardcore (NYHC) scene. Token Entry, formed in Queens, New York, in the early 1980s, was known for their energetic blend of hardcore punk with a positive message and a strong DIY ethos. Weight of the World marks a departure from their earlier, more straightforward hardcore sound, incorporating elements of funk, metal, and alternative rock, which showcased the band’s evolving musical direction.
Token Entry was part of the vibrant and influential NYHC scene, which also included bands like Gorilla Biscuits, Cro-Mags, and Youth of Today. The band originally formed from the remnants of another group, Gilligan’s Revenge, and quickly became known for their fast, energetic sound and positive lyrics, which resonated with the hardcore community.
By the time Weight of the World was released, Token Entry had already made a name for themselves with their debut album From Beneath the Streets (1987) and its follow-up, Jaybird (1988). These albums were rooted in the traditional hardcore sound but hinted at the band’s willingness to experiment. Weight of the World represents the band’s most ambitious effort, blending their hardcore roots with a broader range of musical influences.
Weight of the World sees Token Entry expanding their sound, incorporating funk grooves, metal riffs, and alternative rock sensibilities. The album maintains the intensity and energy of hardcore punk but adds layers of complexity and melody that were less prominent in their earlier work.
Despite the experimentation, the album still carries the fast tempos, aggressive guitar work, and passionate vocals typical of hardcore punk. The energy that defined Token Entry’s earlier work remains a central feature of the album. One of the notable aspects of Weight of the World is the incorporation of funk-inspired basslines and grooves. This added a rhythmic complexity and danceable quality to some of the tracks, distinguishing the album from more traditional hardcore releases.
The lyrics on Weight of the World reflect the band’s positive outlook, addressing themes of personal growth, unity, and social awareness. However, there is also an undercurrent of introspection and frustration, reflecting the pressures of the world and the struggles of maintaining a positive mindset.
Weight of the World was a bold and ambitious release for Token Entry, showcasing their growth as musicians and their willingness to push the boundaries of what hardcore punk could be. While the album may not have been as commercially successful as some of their earlier work, it has been praised for its creativity and its role in expanding the sonic palette of the hardcore genre.
The album has maintained a cult following among fans of the NYHC scene and is often appreciated for its innovation and the way it captures a moment of transition in both the band’s career and the broader hardcore movement. Weight of the World represents a bridge between the traditional hardcore sound and the more diverse and experimental approaches that would come to define the post-hardcore and alternative scenes in the years that followed.
For those interested in exploring the evolution of hardcore punk and the influence of the NYHC scene, Weight of the World is a significant and rewarding listen. It captures the spirit of a band willing to take risks and push the boundaries of their genre while staying true to the core values of hardcore punk.
Track Listing
revolution of values
doing it again
I don’t wanna go back
turnaaround
lucky 7
brian and tims excellent adventure
beautiful people
last chance
down right blue
weight of the world
