Pentimento

Pentimento: PentimentoPentimento (2012)
Self-released

Reviewer Rating: 5

User Rating:

Contributed by: RENALDO69RENALDO69
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on November 16th 2012If you made your top 10 lists for albums of the year already, you've got some changes to make. Pentimento hinges itself, not only on being genuinely nice guys and one of the most receptive towards their fans, but as a class-act when it comes to pop-punk. They have that ability to effectively blend h.

If you made your top 10 lists for albums of the year already, you've got some changes to make. Pentimento hinges itself, not only on being genuinely nice guys and one of the most receptive towards their fans, but as a class-act when it comes to pop-punk. They have that ability to effectively blend hardcore and punk into a seasoned and well-refined sound that no doubt justifies why Buffalo, N.Y.'s proud of this native quartet. All the legal drama aside, it's clear why Pentimento wanted this record out so badly. It's one of the most impacting and resonating records of 2012.

Pentimento never gets stale in the pop-punk genre and definitely acts as one of the most refreshing bands out there. I remember hearing arguments with Transit, Balance and Composure and a bunch of other bands being touted as the most underrated around. I tossed my two cents in with Pentimento. This album emphasizes how right I was about them. Jeramiah Pauly is atop his game as a vocalist, as he navigates the balancing act between clean and strained vocals impressively. They've done a stellar job using the dual vocal delivery as "Conscience" and "Almost Atlantic" show. Such a throwback to the best of Taking Back Sunday and Brand New.

"I've seen so much come and go / I wonder if it's worth it anymore" shows the power behind Pauly's elaborations on "Unless," which never lets up, and the end is just sick. He's such a simple lyricist yet he's moving and really translates his message well. I hope things align well for these guys because they really exemplify what pop-punk oughta be. They've chiseled grit into the amazing craftsmanship by guitarist Lance Claypool, who really deserves big plaudits on the album. "The Wind" and "No one Lets You Know" are testament to Claypool's innovation. The enthusiasm never disappears. You feel this off "Days Away" and even from "The Bridge," which is rife with a Tigers Jaw vibe.

They carve out catchy songs, endearing ones, fast-riffs and rhythmic anthems at the drop of a hat. It's pretty sweet to listen to a band that doesn't sound rehashed or derivative from some influential band they grew up on. Jeramiah and his team aren't near the stalwart status in the genre but these 11 tracks make you stand up and take note that they're progressing brilliantly. The raw tempo and passion in their deliveries permeate until there's a ripping awareness that this band is here to make a stronghold. The passion cascades from track to track and the tangible diversity is stunning; it never sounds like there's an ounce of boredom and repetition as most pop-punk bands carve out.

This album has something for everyone. From the melodic and relaxed "Circles" to the upbeat momentum in the closing "On Summer," it's a mosaic of graceful punk, with gliding riffs and an enormous exuberance. They really did get the blend just right. "Subtle Words" really punctuates how much this band has to offer: the variety, the finesse and an unbridled energy that's perfectly churned out here. They have moved from strength to strength and as dynamic as they were before, they are considerably better. This album highlights the best of their qualities as a band that went from promising to delivering beyond expectations. Like I said, make sure your list has room in its Top 10. Pentimento just came pounding on your door.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Blackjaw_ (January 3, 2013)

At first I thought it was "generic", and hey, maybe it is. But now I recognize it as one of the best albums of the year.

Banger (December 31, 2012)

Reminds me of Polar Bear Club's Sometimes Things Just Disappear.

sleepwalker (November 22, 2012)

Listening to this right now. So far, it just sounds like 1000 other bands we have all heard in the last ten years. That has been my complaint with punk the last couple years: some much new music sounds beyond generic and samey, yet people keep piling on the praise. I mean, if you truly enjoy it then that is totally cool. It just seems that, in my world at least, the more interesting hip-hop gets the more boring punk becomes.

davebrave4 (November 21, 2012)

From what I recall, he mostly only reviews records he really loves (like this) or really hates (like the new punk goes pop atrocity). Not much middle ground. Which isn't a problem in and of itself; I just thought I'd throw out my explanation for why he gives out so many five-star reviews.

VanceMook (November 20, 2012)

These are some of the best guys releasing honest music today, I think this is a great debut and wish 'em luck. Also, why is everyone hating on Renaldo? He doesn't seem to have that many 5-star-ratings...and it's a review. It's based on opinion.

armand (November 20, 2012)

Too bad this album is ruined by the lack of integrity from the band. They chose to sign a contract for an LP, the label paid for the recording, then the band tries to break their contract and have another label release it. Seriously? Lame! Now everyone loses because of the band's selfishness the record won't see distribution.

weriselikelions (November 19, 2012)

that one song with the pompous-to-death string accompaniment and all is almost unbearable. the rest is alright, the obligatory acoustic song ain't too bad for a change and the opening track is pretty good.

FromAbove (November 19, 2012)

My best "discovery" in a while, pretty good

Icapped2pac (November 18, 2012)

Completely derivative but very well done. All in all, very solid. Anybody who's calling this 5 stars is the type of person that has a new 5-star album every week or two. You can't trust somebody's opinion if they think everything is the greatest.

Levendus (November 17, 2012)

Love this band.. really digging this album !

slymer (November 16, 2012)

I enjoyed the album.

Rastid (November 16, 2012)

is this the first troll to make it out of the comments and into the reviews?

Ravnos (November 16, 2012)

"Is everything seriously a perfect record for you Renaldo? I mean come on.... not everything is a perfect 5/5."

Nine thumbs up? What the hell is that?

Seriously though, I wasn't blown away by this at all. I didn't hate it, I just couldn't bring myself to care.

killtaker (November 16, 2012)

Classic Renaldo!

MN_DrNick (November 16, 2012)

Is everything seriously a perfect record for you Renaldo? I mean come on.... not everything is a perfect 5/5.

slymer (November 16, 2012)

Thank you sir. I will check this out

Stevan (November 16, 2012)

their record is available on their website. bandcamp got shut down because of Panic Records filing bogus copyright claims.

www.pentimentoNY.com

theTopher (November 16, 2012)

generic for sure.

slymer (November 16, 2012)

Wasn't this supposed to be available on their Bandcamp? Now all I see is an ep.

teaessare (November 16, 2012)

I haven't listened to this yet, but I've listened to Pentimento's past stuff, and while they are pretty good, they DO NOT have the potential to create a 5 Star-worthy album.

gherkin (November 16, 2012)

The new Swingin' Utters only gets 3 stars and this gets 5... hahahahahahaha

Alien (November 16, 2012)

Can you stop giving everything 5 stars. this isn't absolute punk

Blackjaw_ (November 16, 2012)

Pretty generic but worth listening to a few times.