According to the HHN press release accompanying this record Captain Everything are “at the forefront of the rejuvanated English punk scene.” I’d tend to agree, probably because we wrote it. Ahem. The matter of fact is that even before this release that statement was true, ‘It’s Not Rocket Science’ merely reaffirms the belief that while C*E might not be the best band in the scene, they’re certainly one of the best. This new record is one of the best technical punk records I’ve heard in a long time. Well probably since the last C*E record actually.
When the opening bassline of ‘Chance of a Lunchtime’ rings out you just know this is going to be fucking brilliant. It’s faster and more furious than a Vin Diesel movie with machine gun drumming and guitars exploding all over the shop. The best part is that even with 14 songs we don’t reach the 30 minute mark – it’s a record so punchy and to the point there’s absolutely no time to draw breath. Leading straight into ‘Problem with numbers’ the dual vocal switch between Lewis and Jon works a treat and such is the pace that you actually don’t get any kind of respite at all. Phew.
And so the trend continues with songs touching on love, girls, love and girls, girls and love, oh, and petrol fumes. The latter is a really standout with sneering bratty vocals and a really driving riff which sounds like a big “fuck you” to anyone who doesn’t believe in the C*E gospel. ‘Rocket Science?’ is a tad slower but still rocks like a bastard, while the cleverly named ‘There Is No I In Scene’ is a real call-to-arms, so cleverly written that I’m sure you’ll know someone who the band are referring to. But that’s the beauty of this record, while some of the songs can come across as samey after repeated listens, the lyrical slant is clever enough to keep you interested. And if all else fails stick to tracks like the awesome ‘Chuck Me In’ – a song about the opposite sex.
If you don’t like fast pop-punk with a comical edge and a distinct sense of Britishness, you probably shouldn’t be reading Punktastic. If you’re still reading on then go out and buy this record. You won’t regret it, it’s Captain Everything‘s best yet and well worthy of your pennies.
www.captaineverything.co.uk
Paul