Here at Sorry State we were huge fans of Illiterates’ debut LP, and when the Pittsburgh band offered to let us release the follow-up, we jumped at the chance to climb into bed with the self-described “dumbest band in hardcore.” No Experts is a scorching follow-up to the self-titled debut, with even faster, shorter, and tougher songs, plus catchy gang vocals that, along with vocalist Lawson’s rabid cat delivery, recall Youth of Today at their most primal. While No Experts is about as straightforward as hardcore can get, Illiterates’ way with a tune makes tracks like “Tricks of the Trade,” “Nice Things,” and “Weather Capital” hard to dismiss as anything like “generic thrash.” Another track is called “As Old As You Feel,” and No Experts makes me feel like a teenager, exploding hormones and a frustratingly short attention span ensuring that music this loud, fast, and action-packed is the only thing that makes sense in this world.

Black vinyl, lyric insert, 24"x36" poster, and download card included.