Fake History is Californian post-hardcore quintet Letlive’s third album and I can say before this review officially starts this is one of my all-time favourite albums from one of my all-time favourite bands. Their genuine, heartfelt brand of punk will strike a chord with even the most brutal loving fan.

Letlive exploded on to the music scene last year but what many people didn’t realise at the time is that the band has been around since 2002 and has already released two fairly unremarkable albums. Fake History was released after lead singer Jason Aalon Butler (son of legendary jazz musician Aalon Butler) fired the rest of the band and then hired the current line-up. They went from a generic post-hardcore band to an incredible, progressive band whose music has been likened to Glassjaw.

The intro track Les Prologue begins with a slow drum and bass line with Butler’s vocals wrapping binding the track together before it fades straight into the blistering track The Sick, Sick, 6.8 Billion which is one of several highlights on the album. Others include Renegade ’86 and Casino Columbus both kinetic, bouncy tracks that you can really dance to. Muther and Day 54 both fit into the heartfelt category with lyrics about adultery and about fearing for friends with destructive lifestyles but without giving up any of the pace of the album. This isn’t a typical hardcore album either for those who don’t like the genre. The influence Butler’s father has had on him is apparent with the bass riff and drums being reminiscent of jazz music. His lyrics make several references to 90’s rap artists and at the end of Casino Columbus there is the effect of a microphone being dragged repeatedly across guitar strings making sound of a record scratch another allusion to one of Butler’s early influences.

A question a reviewer must always ask is “is there such a thing as a 10/10 album?” 10/10 hints at pure perfection. For me this is a 10/10 album and I do give it a 10 because Fake History is one of those once in a while albums that makes you proud of the genre you support with all your being. Letlive are an inspiring band who give it their all and pour their very soul into each song but without giving up on the heaviness of their album. A beautiful, soaring experience which a hardcore fan doesn’t get to say often about a genre that is known for its hatred.

For Fans of: Glassjaw

Download: Muther, Renegade 86, Casino Columbus