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Capdown

Pound for the Sound
2003
Abstract

Capdown - Pound for the Sound (Cover Artwork)


Review by: Brian
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Published on January 23rd 2004

Well, from the looks of things, someone on this site sure likes Capdown, and they're not afraid to show it with their potent use of the F5 key (here, give it a few more hits!). UK's ska-punk outfit sits at a comfortable number two spot in the "most popular reviews" top ten list with their debut full-length, Civil Disobedients, here at punknews. However, there is another album in the same genre more deserving of the recognition, if their new album has anything to do with it.

Their sophomore effort, Pound for the Sound, showcases a significantly harder sound, while expanding the palette by spicing up the main ska-punk ingredients with a combination of hardcore, reggae, dub, and soul. The eclectic mix of Operation Ivy dashes and Link 80 splashes are ever-present, while the lyrical themes are similar as well, in Capdown's push towards unity, equality, moral strength, and a positive reaction to negative world issues.

You have your rock songs ("Faith No More," "What Doesn't Kill You," "6-8-1"), your reggae songs with the heavy Jamaican accent, intentional or not ("Progression Vs. Punk Rock"), and your heaving helpings of horns ("Strength in Numbers," the title track). "Time to Get Out" sounds like the bluegrass-punk songs Guttermouth were trying back in the day, and actually shows the occasional Tomas Kalnoky-like speed of the vocals at their best.

If ska's dead, then these zombified blokes are just what music needs.



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    Posted by londonpunk on 2008-04-30 10:59:27

    I know its a bit late to comment on this one, but Capdown were probably one of the most important punk bands to come out of England, period. I really don't feel that the 'ska punk' tag does them justice, the music much more interesting than that (not that there's anything wrong with ska-punk). Much more like Bad Brains in the seamless mix of punk/hardcore/funk/reggae. Also, they put London's own Household Name records on the map, reignited a scene that was flagging a little bit under the weight of American pop-punk and paved the way for current UK acts like The King Blues (who supported them on their recent farewell tour). Great, great stuff. Really sad that they broke up recently.

    PS Their cover of Rancid's 'I Wanna Riot' is ace.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 29, 2004 at 10:35 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    what? its hard to type when your fingers are all slippery with your father's cum, so i'll just assume that whole post was some sort of hideous typo.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 26, 2004 at 6:41 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "but yeah, capdown is fucking great and i would kill to see them tour with voodoo glowskulls and the aquabats. and big d."

    hot damn! that's one sweet show!

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 26, 2004 at 6:39 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    this is the review for the album. it kicks so much ass.

    however, i give one star to the review and reviewer. i read through what else he has written, and it was for crappy emo bands. there needs to be another review of the great album.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 26, 2004 at 2:19 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    www.geocities.com/blacktiebombers

    Posted by GreenVandal on 2004-01-25 21:08:21
    My Score:

    I want a new Link 80 CD. The Struggle Continues fucking owned.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 25, 2004 at 6:12 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    This is the kid who tries to make wordy reviews. Go figger.

    -BSD

    Posted by Jon_the_Skafather on 2004-01-25 14:06:15
    My Score:

    "The eclectic mix of Operation Ivy dashes and Link 80 splashes are ever-present"

    am i the only one who caught how redundant that statement was?

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 25, 2004 at 7:36 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    i bought this a while ago, and yeah some songs are nice

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 24, 2004 at 10:01 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    these guys are one of the very very few ska bands these days that dont give the genre a bad name

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 24, 2004 at 9:18 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "who needs this kind of music when the voodoo glow skulls still makes records?"

    Well their new one sucked so I guess I need this kind of music

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 24, 2004 at 8:32 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    my friend from england showed me this band. i like the music a lot, but i can't stand the guy's voice...

    Posted by ashton on 2004-01-24 20:06:45
    My Score:

    but yeah, capdown is fucking great and i would kill to see them tour with voodoo glowskulls and the aquabats. and big d.

    Posted by ashton on 2004-01-24 20:06:16
    My Score:

    who needs this kind of music when the voodoo glow skulls still makes records?

    Posted by fishtheskanker on 2004-01-24 18:13:27
    My Score:

    this is one of the best ska-core album us brits has to offer, go out and buy now

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 24, 2004 at 12:40 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Surely someone should have reviewed this when it came out two years ago...

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 24, 2004 at 3:26 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    well, this band pretty much kicks the whole ska-punk genre by firmly thrusting thier foot into the groins of the socalled "ska" bands nowadays.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 23, 2004 at 11:51 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "My life is falling to pieces, somebody put me together"

    -FNM rocks

    Posted by Hubitcherkokov on 2004-01-23 18:28:46
    My Score:

    I'd like to check them out based upon the review. Can't go wrong with Link80 references. You know who's a sweet band? Faith No More.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 23, 2004 at 5:01 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Great album
    Not as good as 'civil...'

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 23, 2004 at 4:03 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    briliant!!

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