Caw! Caw! Throws Caution To The Wind To Their Avail

Psychedelic punk accessible to anyone’s ears from Caw! Caw!

Caw! Caw!

Bummer Palace

Released on May 25, 2010

9

Caw! Caw! freshens the music scene up with a rare breed of unrelenting psychedelic pop-punk on their new release, Bummer Palace.  They have been cranking out the high-energy punk since 2001 and after quite a few years of live performances, they recorded the seven-song EP released in 2008 called Wait Outside.  The Chicago-based trio made their name known by playing shows at many of the most popular venues in Chicago. 

Their new effort truly reflects the quirkiness and bipolar sound this band can throw at you.  One major influence that can easily emerge from first listen is The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, only with more pizzazz.  From the sound of the album, it’s evident this band got popular from their live performances.  The fast paced and ever so relentless rhythms could excite a crowd of any size. 

“Toothless,” their current single available for limited-time free download, slowly introduces the psych-punk at hand.  Not a picture perfect example of what this band is all about, but still a bass heavy rhythm with a dramatic guitar screech backing the madness.  It moves along to a vigorous climax, something this band is accustomed to. 

“Righteous Pooch” opens up with an obscure rhythm guitar effect and a spirited drum beat.  The dissonant and quirky fury, which typically leads to an ominous feeling, leaves a strangely uplifting atmosphere.  The round sounding snare, highly desired for punk drummers, is perfect for the fast paced rolls or any action for that matter.  From one second of high spirits and energy to the next, a slow serenade.  An example of many bipolar moments throughout, but that makes the crescendos far more rousing.

An eccentric drum-beat leading to a soothing landscape of echoing notes opens “Martyrs In Ice.”  The chorus flows in to a mesmerizing guitar riff and a screeching female voice.  Things begin to escalate out of control with layered echoes pulsating out of rhythm and suddenly all is well again with that eccentric drum beat.  Pause and back to the madness.  The dynamics continue to work to Caw! Caw!’s advantage.  A seven minute song certainly benefits from bipolar tendencies.  All the while it keeps you guessing and keeps the music far from stagnant.

With their lengthy songs time and again, Caw! Caw! can create some great ethereal tunes while keeping things edgy and unconventional.  Their breakdowns aid in the fresh sound that refuses to quit along with the intensity found in songs like “Basement Appartitions.”  The slow goings lead to something fluid and beautiful while adhering to punk conventions and adding some strange effects along the way.

 

High Point

Audacious sounds throughout running amuck.

Low Point

Some of the screaming is quite unnecessary, but it only peeks its sore-throated self in a few songs.

Posted by Daniel Wehrli on May 25, 2010 @ 9:21 pm

caw! caw!, Bummer Palace