Capdown

Pound for the Sound (2003)
Abstract

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

nedsammy (July 12, 2010)

it's late, but "Faith No More" is a ska-core song. "Time to get Out" actually reminds me more of the lawrence arms. and "judgement days" is a rock song, and completely fucking incredible. thank you

londonpunk (April 30, 2008)

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.

Anonymous (January 29, 2004)

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.

Anonymous (January 26, 2004)

"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!

Anonymous (January 26, 2004)

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.

Anonymous (January 26, 2004)

www.geocities.com/blacktiebombers

GreenVandal (January 25, 2004)

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

Anonymous (January 25, 2004)

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

-BSD

Jon_the_Skafather (January 25, 2004)

"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?

Anonymous (January 25, 2004)

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

Anonymous (January 24, 2004)

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