Album Details

• Artist: Face To Face
• Album: Don't Turn Away
• Label: Fat Wreck
• Year of Release: 1992
• ME Rating: Indie Classic
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2011-04-21

My discovery of Face To Face was basically a double discovery. I went to a punk show to see an old high school friends band, Sparkmarker, which was opening for two bands I hadn't heard of–Face To Face and NOFX. It was an amazing night and from that night forward I had two new favorite punk bands.

Anyway, Face To Face was Trevor Keith's baby and this debut album really showcased a band that was about to break out of the mold of regular California punk bands. Fast and furious but still extremely melodic. Sure, NoFX had some of this but they relied on comedy to get them through the tough times. Face To Face just had awesome hooks and really emotional lyrics. Their anthemic "Disconnected" really shines even to this day. That could be why they choose to re-record it for their A&M debut, Big Choice.

"No, you don't know what you were given

You don't know what you want, it may take you years to find out

You don't know what you need, something that may never come to you"

There is absolutely no filler on this album. Every song is fun and thoughtful, powerful and aggressive. 

Even listening to Don't Turn Away today, 20 years after my first discovery, I get excited. I'm glad that they are coming back with a new album. I highly doubt that Keith and his crew will ever reach this level again but at least it will give us another chance to hear these classic punk songs.

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