Largely unheralded at the time, For Against were one of the leading exponents of the US post-punk scene, becoming an American alternative to UK luminaries such as The Chameleons. Despite being together for roughly two decades, their last album - 2002's 'Coalesced' - proved that they could still cut the mustard. The success to their music was largely built around the moody, jangly guitar of Harry Dingman countered by Jeffrey Runnings' lemon-fresh vocals. Words On Music have capitalised on the renewed interest in the band, allowing newcomers the chance to hear where it all began with their 'Echelons' debut. Recorded in 1987, it could feasibly have been made five year earlier, such is its debt to glum rock forerunners such as Modern English and the early Factory bands. With Greg Hill's doomy percussion and Runnings' bass very much to the fore, the title track is a virtual Joy Division pastiche. The way forward is pointed to by 'Autocrat', bolstered by a chugging rhythm and an edgy, driving chorus. Fair play to them though, despite the derivative nature of the record, they performed the music more eloquently than most.