Captain Everything!

It's Not Rocket Science. (2003)
Household Name Records

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Brian
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on June 8th 2004

For a few listens, London’s Captain Everything! provide super upbeat , melodic skate punk not far from the likes of someone like Pulley. With nicely traded-off vocals, an album that clocks in at just under half an hour, and the customary exclamation point in their name, they’re obviously having plenty of fun. But I can’t say the good times will still be reflected in the listener’s mood after several listens.

The third full-length from the three-piece, It’s Not Rocket Science. (with its very indie-rock cover art), gets old real quick. By the time the last track, “Play Faster,” rolls around, the band has already ironically delved into a bit of power-pop to help close it out, which could either be clever genre-hopping or just plain laziness. Several tracks earlier, the flow of the album is absolutely mauled by “…,” which is basically thirty seconds of footage from the band’s apparently earlier days in a rehearsal space. It’s flat-out pointless and in the least should’ve been stuck at the end as a hidden track after several minutes of silence.

It’s Not Rocket Science. is pretty self-explanatory. While it’s nothing new, it isn’t bad by any means, but it really lacks lasting value.

MP3
There’s No “I” in Scene

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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.

aiden (July 11, 2006)

what the ehll is the guy reviewing this album talking about?!?!?!?! clearly he has never seen the band live and for my money they're the best live band in the uk at the moment. five knuckle were always the best but they had to leave us sadly, though the last show in bristol is still the best ever, seemed like the entire household family was there!!! but anyways, captain everything are awesome, slating their lyrics is pointless, talk to the guys in the band and you'll undersatand the humour and sarcastic wit of their words!!! plus they sang happy birthday to me in the style of aiden. best day ever!!!

Anonymous (September 2, 2004)

AMAZING album!

Anonymous (June 14, 2004)

I liked the album and I like the band but I really don't agree with almsot anything the reviewer said. I can hardly hear "happy mood" thrughout the album. Many songs have deep meaning and many just have (I hate admitting this) emo lyrics with the singer (i forget his name) basickly crying his heart out.

mikeinflames (June 13, 2004)

haven't heard the album yet
but i've seen them live twice and they are an amazing live band
they put on a way better show than a lot of the bands out there today

mikeinflames (June 13, 2004)

haven't heard the album yet
but i've seen them live twice and they are an amazing live band
they put on a way better show than a lot of the bands out there today

Anonymous (June 13, 2004)

Sorry, but I don't see how that review at punktastic is 'fairer'. It's by the guy who did their press release and is entirely one-sided. The writer has a bias too, that of defending his precious "rejuvanated English punk scene", which, if Captain Everything are at the "forefront", isn't very rejuvanated at all.

I'm not saying the reviewer is wrong for liking it, that's his opinion, it just strikes me as odd how it could be considered "fairer" than this punknews review, which is by an entirely independent, disinterested party.

Just because you agree with the punktastic review doesn't make it fairer.

CrookedSuperhero (June 12, 2004)

The guy below knows what hes talking about

Anonymous (June 12, 2004)

This album is pretty good to say the least.
A much fairer review is found at: http://www.punktastic.com/index.php?navID=2&reviewID=441
I have been seeing them live since 1998 and they do put on a really good live show, Lewis, the guitarist doesnt stay still for a minute he's not singing. Rich is an intense drummer and Jon is just plain funny. All really nice guys and make brilliant music too.

CrookedSuperhero (June 11, 2004)

Captain generally have moved when i've seen them. They also play well and are pretty funny to boot. I think there a pretty good live band, and the bassist impression of a gangster is really good.

But i'll tell you who were fantastic live. Lightyear. Also, adequate 7 and capdown are also really good live.

ChrisML123 (June 11, 2004)

The thing is that Captain Everything take a while to get into. I wouldnt agree with the bit in the review where he says they get less good, it took me about 3 listens of their first album before I liked it. There's also no denying that they are stables of the brit punk rock scene, and my friends, so whether people like it or not, this album is definitely a good thing

Anonymous (June 9, 2004)

This band are from Watford, not London. Their record label is based there though. I like this album, sure it's hardly original but it's catchy and pretty funny.

Joe

inagreendase (June 8, 2004)

I'd love to review the new Sleep Station as I haven't heard it yet, but I'm so busy with my pile and some other stuff that I have to write up that unless it was sent to me I wouldn't find time. If no one submits it for a month or so I'd probably burn it off thricequalsgod and write one up.

Anonymous (June 8, 2004)

inagreendase, i remember you saying you were a big fan of sleep station, so how bout reviewing "after the war"? it's a lot better than most of the stuff reviewed here bi-weekly.

Anonymous (June 8, 2004)

I'm the guy who posted second, there's ANOTHER person who likes these guys?? Give me a break, I'm now thoroughly confused.

"They are one of the best, if not the best punk band in the UK right now. Their live show is outstanding..I've never seen any other band put half as much energy into their shows.
"

That just seems totally ridiculous to me, I've seen them 7 or 8 times and they just don't move at all when playing and the bass guy looks flat-out bored. There are a numer of far better live bands on HHNRs alone and I don't even like the label, Five Knuckle, Capdown, Adequate 7 and Antimaniax come to mind. All of those have personality in their live act sorely missing in Captain Everything. This isn't even considering the quickly growing and thriving hardcore scene in the UK whose bands are far more explosive than the US bands that come over.

As to Crooked, I can only assume we live at opposite ends of this fair isle, metaphorically if not literally. Carry on supporting Adequate 7 buddy.

Anonymous (June 8, 2004)

This Album is amazing!
They are one of the best, if not the best punk band in the UK right now. Their live show is outstanding..I've never seen any other band put half as much energy into their shows.
Their music is brilliant, its really catchy and stand out tracks include 'petrol fumes', 'problem with numbers' and 'rocket science?' but to be honest i love every track on this album, and their other two cds.

CrookedSuperhero (June 8, 2004)

Fourth time, shit. I meant to say indie cover.
I can't type, sorry

CrookedSuperhero (June 8, 2004)

Ii now i've now posted three times on this, but i've just re-read that review and realised you said its an indie rock. Can you just explain how a brightly coloured toaster is anything to do with indie music.

CrookedSuperhero (June 8, 2004)

Hi, its actually quite intresting to hear you say that, as every one at any show i've seen them at at has said that there really good. I can see why people don't like them, as the lyrics and music is obvuosly quite simple, but i think the songs in themselves are well written and put together well. There not my favourite band, but i do think they are really good. Also, i didn't realise they were headlining the tour, i thought adaquate 7 (who really are amazing) were.Anyway, thanks for the viewpoint, your actually the first person i've ever come across to not like this band.

Thanks

Graham

Anonymous (June 8, 2004)

Hey CrookedSuperHero you're from the UK right? I believe I've seen you say so before....

Every punk fan I've ever met in the UK has seen this band live, they seem to be at every gig with a Household Name Records band, and I've NEVER heard a good thing heard about them. 90% of comments are totally derogatory and the other 10% are indifferent. I'm not trying to be negative (despite strongly disliking the band) or critical, I'm just suprised to see someone liking them a lot. Having said that they seem to be getting inexplicably big lately (such as headlining the HHNR tour).

CrookedSuperhero (June 8, 2004)

I gnore this shit, get this album. They may be tied down by the generic formula, but they get away with it by writing great songs. Cheap too.