Punknews.org

|
Sign In | create an account

Pipedown

Mental Weaponry (2003)
A-F Records

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

Contributed by: FortyMinutesWest
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on December 12th 2003

You know, as much as I dislike Anti-Flag, I do have to commend them for picking up some quality bands for their label. Bands like Much the Same, Thought Riot, Inhuman, New Mexican Disaster Squad and many more have been quite pleasing to my ears. Now I will add Pipedown to that list.

Right from the start (well, after the sound clip anyway) I’m reminded of “Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes” era AFI and the newer wave of melodic hardcore bands such as Rise Against. The music is darkly melodic; the vocals are very similar to those of Davey Havok, before he decided to become a Fran Drescher impersonator, and the drums rarely slow down. The album as a whole is fairly dark, fitting the lyrical content, I suppose. Opening the albums insert gives immediate clues to the band’s intentions, with quotes from the likes of John Locke, Sir Francis Bacon, and of course, Martin Luther King. Lots of bands quote famous people, but Pipedown went a little further and included a little bit of background information about each person. I find this to be more interesting than simply quoting someone.

The band’s lyrics don’t stray too far from the standard political rantings of their brethren, but they do at times show that they have a sense of humor. Such as in the song “Muppet Goes To Washington”: “Another note to self today, now we’ve found a reason to believe that Jim Henson is under control. We were told by the government that he had died, but they had sent him underground. Plan a puppet, cheap Texan accent…” Odd, I thought Henson’s final work was creating the lead singer from Nickelback, who says music doesn’t teach you anything?

I miss older AFI, and although band isn’t identical to (they have a wider range of influences, it seems) they fill the niche rather well. This isn’t one of the top albums of the year, but if you like fast, melodic hardcore, it’s certainly worth a listen.

Login to rate this album

People who liked this also liked:

Please login or register to post comments.

What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?

Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

insipidaspersions (December 8, 2004)

I saw pipedown. it was a good show. i like them, but I haven't heard any of their recorded stuff. you're right..his face is kind of creepy while he's performing...in a good way.

Anonymous (August 13, 2004)

yeah, they sold out their bass player, doug was the sickest dude in the land

Anonymous (August 7, 2004)

they are such a great band. ean's energy is so great, his stage presence and "antics" force you to get into their set. not to mention, they're GREAT guys!

Anonymous (July 16, 2004)

(levithan) is ean purposly trying to sing like that

this is a prime example of justin sane ruining a band

Anonymous (June 22, 2004)

hc-Punk at the best and in november they come back to switzerland! better than anti-flag... :)

Anonymous (June 21, 2004)

well done! keep going on

Anonymous (December 18, 2003)

Sacramento (and surrounding areas) grow some nice bands, now and then. Final Summation is another that comes to mind.

Nothing creeps me out more than the face of Pipedown's front man during their shows. And I can't help but giggle when he yells to the crowd something like "It's time to take our country back!" Sometimes kids need to be force fed obvious information, I guess. Gateway bands, ahoy!

Anonymous (December 17, 2003)

last post courtesy of Funkisdead.
signing in was sooooo 2001.

Anonymous (December 17, 2003)

my first cd was a public enemy receord, way back in 1994 or so... my second cd was the ultramagnetic mcs record from the 80s. thats right... i am all about the old school, kids.
first punk rock = rancid's lets go, nofx's punk in drublic, and green day's dookie, all purchased one fateful day in 1996.

Anonymous (December 17, 2003)

A rare moment, I actually agree with 40 min.
-ThereIsLifeInThis-

notfeelingcreative (December 17, 2003)

My first Cd's were the Ramones Mania, misfits collection I and II and the Doors boxed set (I got them all for christmas 1993!)

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

Well when I seriously started getting into music my second cd was Alkaline Trio's CD from here to Infermery

FortyMinutesWest (December 15, 2003)

My second CD was Against the Grain...

I just realized that this is the second time I've mentioned Muppets in a review, hmm.

GreenVandal (December 15, 2003)

My second CD was Green Days Insomniac. My first? The soundtrack to Mortal Kombat the movie. I liked the dance theme song.

Anonymous (December 15, 2003)

"Though my second CD ever was 'Feeding of the 5000'"

Fuckin awesome. Mine was Paula Abdul. Dare I say it's almost as good as Crass.
-Janelle

Anonymous (December 15, 2003)

This album is awesome and what kind of fucking retard compares Pipedown to AFI...Fuck off you fucking prat

Anonymous (December 14, 2003)

Wow that came out wrong i ment did anyone else not get the cd

Anonymous (December 14, 2003)

Did anyone else ever get the cd from a-f for sending in your voting stub about a month ago?

Anonymous (December 14, 2003)

Look, I don't care for their music, but I like A-F as the starting point to some kids' political punk collections... Though my second CD ever was "Feeding of the 5000"...

-BSD