Open Roads and Broken Dreams

Reach the Sky's Open Roads and Broken Dreams was originally released in the late '90s, and helped thrust the band to the front of the hardcore punk scene. Their energetic mixture of frantic punk speed with an aggressive hardcore attitude would be less effective if it weren't for the passion and sincerity injected into the lyrical content. These five men aren't just thrashing around and screaming because they can, they are expressing their heartfelt thoughts concerning loved ones and the scene they are a part of. Deathwish Inc. re-released the album in 2002, completely remastered and sounding much crisper than the original. Also included were two never-before-released songs, one of which being their excellent Rites of Spring cover, "Spring." Largely considered the band's finest studio work, Open Roads and Broken Dreams is a welcome introduction to fans who haven't had the chance to hear the album, and a worthwhile indulgence for longtime fans. Reach the Sky's positive outlook on life is a breath of fresh air, and their music harks back to the roots of hardcore, being largely based in punk. Of the previously released songs, "Before Too Long," remains the standout classic, while "April Showers" (that could be considered "new," although it was actually recorded before the rest of the album) is a great look at Reach the Sky's formative years. This is a must-have album for any hardcore fan.