Subject to Change (EP)

Subject to Change is the first and only EP by American hardcore band The Faith. It was released in December 1983 through Dischord Records. Like other influential D.C. records, it was released after the band had broken up.

Subject to Change
EP by The Faith
Released	December 1983
Recorded	May 1983
Studio	Inner Ear Studios, Mastered at Masterdisk
Genre	Hardcore punk melodic hardcore
Length	12:52
Label	Dischord
Producer	Ian MacKaye, The Faith
The Faith chronology
Faith/Void Split (1982) Subject to Change (1983)

Overview

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]

AllMusic described it to be "hot-wired classic hardcore outrage and self-questioning, as before" giving it 4 stars out of 5; and also praised the production.^[1] Don Zientara once again handled the recording, with Ivor Hanson's drumming sounding both stronger and also a touch more accomplished.^[1] Bass and guitar seemed to have switched positions of prominence in the mix, with Mike Hampton's crunch a touch more subtle and Chris Bald's own crisp work more directly audible.^[1]

It makes for a calm but interesting contrast; in combination with the fine if not especially original songs, the result is more prime hardcore.^[1] Alec MacKaye still screams with passion but also has a little more open ache slipping through here and there, which goes well with the lyrics of songs like "Limitations" and the combination of reflection and call to action in the especially inspiring title track.^[1] It all makes for a fine way for this solid band to be remembered.^[1]

As the record progresses things get even more dynamic.^[1] "Say No More" finds Alec near-singing, and ends with four hand claps. Also, rather than snarling that he wants to make society bleed, he drops lines like "It's a feeling coming from your heart. Don't want to stop it, just want to know how it starts." If listened closely enough on "Aware" and "More of the Same," something can even be noticed, something more or less alien to hardcore records of the era: guitar solos.^[2]

As an exceptional record, not only because of its heavy, melodious (but not poppy, in fact punk) sound, but because of its great personal, introspective lyrics, things one can really relate to;^[3] it is far from a transitional record; the eight songs on Subject to Change are totally complete and powerful.^[3] The scene, however, was about to raze itself and start again from scratch. The record, in its music, lyrics, and especially the title song, was a forecast of the great things to come.^[3]

Track listing

Side one

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Aware"	1:40
2.	"Say No More"	1:30
3.	"Limitations"	1:24
4.	"No Choice"	1:03

All lyrics are written by The Faith; all music is composed by The Faith.

Side two

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Untitled"	1:07
2.	"Subject to Change"	1:33
3.	"More of the Same"	1:33
4.	"Slowdown"	2:58
Total length:		12:52

2011 Reissue – The Faith first demo

No.	Title	Length
1.	"You're X'd"	1:06
2.	"Don't Tell Me"	0:59
3.	"In The Black"	1:49
4.	"In Control"	1:07
5.	"It's Time"	0:59
6.	"Another victim"	0:43
7.	"Nightmare"	1:11
8.	"Trapped"	0:48
9.	"No Choice"	0:54
10.	"Confusion is the End"	1:42
11.	"What's Wrong With Me?"	0:44
Total length:		24:38

Notes

• Demos recorded in December 1981 at Inner Ear Studios.
• The 2011 reissue does not the include the looped laugh after "Slowdown".

Personnel

The Faith

• Chris Bald – bass
• Ivor Hanson – drums
• Michael Hampton – guitars
• Eddie Janney – guitars
• Alec MacKaye – vocals

Production

• Ian MacKaye, The Faith – production
• Don Zientara – engineering
• Kim Gregg – photography [front cover]
• Tiffany Pruitt – photography [back cover]
• Amy Pickering, Leslie Clague, Susan Dynner – photography [insert]
• Glen E. Friedman – photography [label]