Emotionalpunk.com
Media Review
Music Quality: 8.5
Production: 8.0
Originality: 8.0
Tracklisting
2. A Siren
3. Elegant View
4. See It
5. Moses Of The South
6. Swamp
7. Ageless Everytime
8. Innocent And All
9. Shovel To Ground
10. What Will Come Of Us?
The first time I heard Colour Revolt was on Brand New’s tour a few years back. I remember walking in as the band had already begun their set. I walked out on the band after only two songs. That initial reaction was due to their odd combination of piano, screaming and loud guitars going off in what seemed like an incomprehensible mess. Luckily the band had friends in high places (a.k.a. band’s I really respect) such as Brand New, Manchester Orchestra, Anathallo, and others who kept singing the band’s praise. After some reconsideration, I went online and gave the band a second chance and had a sudden change of heart! Just like that I found myself thoroughly enjoying a band that I had walked out on only a few months earlier.
Fast forward a few years and couple dozen spins of their EP later, I heard the band was releasing their debut full length Plunder, Beg and Curse. I immediately jumped at the chance to get a sneak peek at how the band has grown in the two years between releases. You instantly get a sense of that change with the clear single “Naked and Red.” It has a perfect blend of catchiness, accessibility, and complexity. The growth in lead singer Jesse Coppenbarger’s vocals is obvious. His vocals have a much smoother and soothing delivery this time around similar to Radiohead’s Thom Yorke at times. After two upbeat tracks the band immediately downshifts into low gear with “Elegant View.” The song has lulling tempo for a majority of the ride but ends strong with rough and wailing guitars. “Moses Of The South” marks the half-way point in the record and highlights the album’s lyrical theme with biblical references reminiscent of Brand New’s latest album. The band’s Mississippi roots show through on the aptly titled “Swamp.” Jesse has a very bluesy twang to his voice and while not overtly playing any blues riffs, the guitars allude back to the days of Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. The light-hearted “Ageless Everytime” could almost be mistaken for a Minus the Bear. The closer “What Will Comes Of Us?” is a slow roller but with crunching guitars.
Overall Plunder, Beg And Curse has a slower tempo than the EP which could initially be offsetting to fans of their early work. This could be due to the length that they were allowed versus an EP or that the band is simply refining their sound as most bands do with age. In the end, the tempo works well for the album and helps to highlight the lyrics. We are through the first quarter of the year and I see this album holding up through the end of it and beyond; perhaps my favorite aspect of this album it its potential to grow in depth with each listen. My introduction and eventual acceptance of this band is a perfect way to describe their new sound: initially tricky to grasp but their depth and beauty keep pulling you back in.