There's a line on the album's title track which sums up this new Capdown record. "Forget your preconceptions and you're ready to roll."
If you're expecting Capdown circa 2001 - or even earlier - be prepared for a shock. While the band's message is still there, albeit a little watered down, 'Wind Up Toys' sounds bigger and better; less ska and more rock. It's possibly not the record many old-skool fans will be expecting. But put away those preconceptions of what you thought this record would sound like and you'll find a refreshingly good record, one which will come as a pleasant surprise to many - yours truly included.
'Wind Up Toys' shows a band in transition. Having seen Capdown on their comeback last year, their live performances seemed lethargic and slowed down, alluding to message board fears this album wouldn't be all it's cracked up to be. And while there are plenty of 'rock songs' without a hint of ska or sax ('Truly Dead', for example), Jake's vocals are as spite-filled as ever and there's a genuine hint of aggression in the lyrics. Incidentally, the lyrics point to the inner turmoil the band clearly suffered in the years after 2001, which saw the band on the brink of a major breakthrough yet suddenly stopped in their tracks. many of the tracks here talk about fighting for independence ('Terms and Conditions Apply'), life on tour ('Surviving the Death of a Genre') or encouraging people to take a stand ('Generation Next').
I've never been a massive Capdown convert, but I really enjoyed this record. It's refreshingly varied, at times very melodic, at times visceral and aggressive. It's the sound of a band maturing musically and moving on - not neccessarily moving away from their original sound, but perhaps growing into it. And while I accept that this transition won't be loved by everyone, 'Wind Up Toys' is both varied and interesting enough to keep fans old and new happy.
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