Although the band didn't last long,
Outburst's 1989 EP
Miles to Go is a fondly remembered artifact of the late-'80s New York hardcore scene. This teenage quintet took its cues from the likes of
Bad Brains and the early Dischord Records catalog, but they prefigured the '90s emo explosion by adding a new level of instrumental virtuosity, change-on-a-dime dynamics, and vocal passion to otherwise standard post-hardcore blowouts like the opening "No Choice." The 2003 CD reissue includes all seven tracks from the band's sole release and adds six previously unreleased songs from the group's original demo. While these songs are of historical interest, they're fairly standard hardcore largely lacking the control and polish of the EP, and Don Fury's ultramuddy, shoebox production does the songs no favors; comparing this early version of "Mission Impossible," with its inaudible vocals and hyperspeed blur, to the more controlled but far more passionate and intense version from the EP, it's clear that the band made enormous strides early in its career. Annoyingly, this brief CD (14 tracks in 21 minutes, including a chaotic, untitled instrumental) doesn't include
Outburst's twin career pinnacles, "The Hardway" and "Controlled," which led off Blackout Records' 1989 label sampler Where the Wild Things Are. ~ Stewart Mason