Best of Madball
42 min · 21 tracks · hardcore punk
Fierce rhythms and raw energy fuel a relentless celebration of New York hardcore's spirit and resilience.
Top tracks — play these first
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New York City — This track epitomizes Madball's connection to their roots, combining aggressive lyrics with anthemic choruses that celebrate urban life and street culture.
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Unity — A powerful rallying cry for togetherness within the hardcore scene, this song balances aggression with a message of solidarity and community.
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Demonstrating My Style — Showcasing lyrical bravado and dynamic instrumentals, this track highlights Madball's influence on hardcore punk's stylistic development and its emphasis on personal expression.
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Pride (Times Are Changing) — With its introspective lyrics and driving melody, this song captures the struggles and resilience of individuals navigating change while remaining true to themselves.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This compilation captures the essence of Madball's sound but lacks the cohesive flow of a studio album.
What we noticed
- The album features a high-energy tempo throughout, with most tracks clocking in under three minutes.
- Several songs employ call-and-response vocal patterns, engaging listeners and creating a sense of community.
- The production is raw and aggressive, emphasizing the guitar riffs and driving drum beats characteristic of hardcore punk.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- quick, punchy listening sessions
- dynamic energy shifts
- confrontational mood exploration
- intense workout motivation
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2000, 'Best of Madball' serves as a retrospective compilation during a period when Madball was solidifying their status in the hardcore punk scene. This album followed their acclaimed work 'Look My Way' (1998) and showcased the band's evolution from their early days while also introducing newer fans to their most impactful tracks.
- Stylistic neighbors
- H2O· Sick of It All· Earth Crisis
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Set It Off 3:21
- 2 New York City 2:01
- 3 It’s Time 2:12
- 4 Across Your Face 1:10
- 5 Down by Law 2:47
- 6 Smell the Bacon (What’s With You?) 0:46
- 7 Get Out 0:54
- 8 Friend or Foe 1:38
- 9 Demonstrating My Style 1:59
- 10 Unity 1:52
- 11 Live or Die 2:08
- 12 Pride (Times Are Changing) 2:38
- 13 Hardcore Still Lives! 0:06
- 14 Nuestra Familia 2:03
- 15 Ball of Destruction 2:13
- 16 Look My Way 2:47
- 17 Moment of Truth 1:38
- 18 Waste of Time 3:06
- 19 Been There, Done That 2:40
- 20 Talkin’ to Myself 2:23
- 21 Fools Die 2:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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