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I’ve been trying to pin down what I don’t like about this album for weeks.

Now don’t let that opening fool you, there is some incredibly catchy and well-written rock and roll on Madcap’s “East To West.” Tracks like “Bright Lights, Big City,” “Hometown” and “These Old Feelings” define the term anthem with huge hooks and crowd leasing sing-alongs. While I feel that these Dropkick Murphys / early-Rancid style tracks are used a tad too often, it only briefly hinders the albums’ pacing.

The thing that catches me off guard about Madcap is their youth. We’re accustomed to hearing our street punk from jaded veterans. I was writing this band off as a poor-man’s U.S. Bombs for a while, probably because they’re newer at the game and don’t carry the same weight of experience as Duane Peters’ crew. The more I think about it, that’s not something that I can fault the band on. “Be more grizzled!” doesn’t hold up well in an argument.

Therefore I appreciate Madcap more when they break out of street-punk-anthem mode. “Midnight Thoughts” is a great example of a lower-key track that lies somewhere between Green Day’s “Longview” and the Clash’s “Guns Of Brixton.” Also included is an energetic cover of Blitz’ “New Age” which the British Oi band could be proud of. Unfortunately things tend to get bogged down on certain tracks when the seven-man group vocals (that’s just the guests in the studio, not including the band themselves) overpower the individuals.

There are nitpicky technical reasons why I’m not fully into this record, but those problems can certainly be ironed out in time. Hopefully they’ll stretch their legs a bit more in the future, because they’re certainly have the songwriting ability.



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    Posted by GxZxD on 2004-03-06 03:44:49
    My Score:

    Good catchy, singalong-a-punk-sreet-anthem type record...4 years on from their seminal release 'ON MY OWN ' on Paradigm records this refreshing LA punk band have swapped the more melodic anthemic vocal dominated sound of their early stuff, for a more Brit/street/singalong punk sound...is that a bad thing? well, no, possibly not, if you like the whole street punk genre, this record is a good example of it.....But, if you compare 'EAST TO WEST ' with the aforementioned release on Paradigm, with it's fresh, youthful sound packed with guitar melodies galore and great vocal harmonies...I'm afraid, in my humble opinion, 'EAST TO WEST' doesn't come close....Nevertheless, this is a good, solid, punk release worthy of a listen GxZxD. ENGLAND.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 21, 2003 at 6:35 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Sick sick band, "Streets Of Belief" is a nasty song. Also, Madcap is great live.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 5:37 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    this album is good but i see way more potential in the band. didnt blow me away but a good effort at the least

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 at 2:58 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    This is a great album. I can't think of another band out there like madcap who's as good live or on CD as these guys. No doubt this guys will be one of the biggest bands some day.

    Posted by waste_elite on 2003-01-13 21:53:33
    My Score:

    guns of brixton is one of my favorite songs on london calling

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 13, 2003 at 8:36 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "Clash’s “Guns Of Brixton.”"

    Haha. The best song on this album is only as good as good as the worst song off of London Calling. Figures.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 13, 2003 at 6:52 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I love madcap and east to west. They rock live to!

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 2:51 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    great album!! and i happen to like the cover art

    Posted by Shindo on 2003-01-11 16:43:36
    My Score:

    ...yeah we came up with that review at our last board meeting. We sat down and listened to "East To West," which is obviously the most important and influential album since "London Calling," and we just HAD to give it a poor review. We even made up hilarious reasons like "pacing," "production" and "songwriting" to use in it. How'd ya figure us out?

    adam

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 3:04 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    recently saw them with one man army, and the explosion. they have an amazing live show, and one of the better records i've heard lately

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 12:47 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    I have a feeling this web site has a rule that states....

    "punknews.org may only review extremely shitty bands and records, and in addition to that, we must review very good and influential albums written by reviewers who don't know anything about music let alone punk rock in general..."

    I can't believe the crap I read on this site. I mean what ever happened to quality control????

    Posted by evilash on 2003-01-10 12:58:04
    My Score:

    Ahhhhhh the old punk rock rehash. Suck ass horrible art

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 10, 2003 at 3:16 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    this album rocks! I love bright lights big city! I am going to see them when they play jersey. great album, great band. side one dummy is putting out quality shit these days.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 10, 2003 at 12:56 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Fuck this shit. twat

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 9, 2003 at 4:43 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    So I recently picked up "East to West" and was happy to finally see you review it.I think the album is very strong. Adam I can see what you mean when you say They could let their creativity flow a little more. But that could be said for just about every album out there right now. There are no london calling's out there right now. But this does not take away from how great this album is. There is some amazing rock in there! "Heaven or Hell" for one, throws me back to the WHO and early brit influenced rock and roll.Great!Anyway if this is a sign of things to come from this band then I as a rock and roll fan am excited. Also I was not 100% taken by the band until I saw them live. What an experience. The live Madcap show is as entertaining as it is fun. buy this album, see them live or vice versa. you will have no choice within a year, I am betting!

    Phil from seattle

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 8, 2003 at 10:20 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    One of the better albums i've heard lately, and what the hell are you talking about they're amazing live. As for the album cover who cares about it. Its not the artwork that's important anyway its the music.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 8, 2003 at 9:49 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I saw them live a couple times. I guess Icould sum up all my thoughts about them in a great big MEH. The score drops a couple points for the worst album cover of this decade. What were they thinking?

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 8, 2003 at 7:48 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    East To West is one of the best albums out right now and their live shows are even better. I recomend you check them out...

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 8, 2003 at 10:18 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    madcap is lame

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 8, 2003 at 9:25 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Madcap. I can't stress how good their live show is... "bright lights, big city!" great record, one of the best of 2002.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 7, 2003 at 9:40 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Shitty review,awesome band.Never disappoint in their live show.

    THAT GUY

    Posted by waste_elite on 2003-01-07 16:21:49
    My Score:

    guns of brixton is such a great song, this score is for the clash

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 7, 2003 at 3:34 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Adam, you sure are digging some U.S. Bombs latetly, eh? "The World" is their best, I highly recommend it.

    -sickboi

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 7, 2003 at 2:38 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    good cd, great live show.

    *****Wuss-Emo-Rock***** ( at school )

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