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A Small Victory

El Camino (2004)
Lobster Records

Reviewer Rating:

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

Published on September 7th 2004

Lobster Records houses two of the best kept secrets of modern punk, Park and Staring Back. A little while ago, they released an EP from the Atlanta based band A Small Victory, and I sadly paid it no mind. ASV is back with another release on the ol' crustacean, and I'm fucking hooked.

Their sound is at first dismissed as another pop-punk band. At least, for the first 20 seconds of the opening track "Limousines and Cheap Cigars." However, they actually have balls behind their sound. I mean rock and roll testicles of power. They don't chug forward with pretty twinkling guitars, but rather bring out some Aerosmith inspired rock and guitar solos to spice up their mix of punk and pop. Their chops aren't bad either, and are able to pull of the rather ambitious sounds they laid down.

The melodies on this disc are pretty infectious. To the point that I was repeating each track twice before going on to the next one when I first listened to it. At times, the style of writing reminds me of Vinnie from LTJ, most notably on the closer, Blindman's Holiday. The lyrics are delivered with sincerity, and at times there are hints of Jesse from Brand New's influence in the delivery. However, unlike the Long Island heart throbs, they aren't quite as self absorbed or self destructive. Where his voice really shines is the acoustic/balls out rocker Farewell Capeside.

The addition of a mostly acoustic track is going to be of debate amongst the "true punkers" I'm sure, but I love the song. Rather than coming off as a rejected track from "Punk Goes Acoustic" or as a demo of a yet-to-realized song, it sounds like a singer/songwriter relapse to the 1970's (or an acoustic Gin Blossoms track). In the middle of it, the balls out rock comes, with smashing guitars and drums, along with a melancholy guitar solo that apes the vocal melody.

This disc is pretty awesome. It's pretty infectious, and it's pretty obvious why Lobster snatched these guys up. To be sure, we'll be hearing more of A Small Victory soon, as they move on to bigger and better things.

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Anonymous (June 16, 2006)

these guys should have become famous. they had talent, and its definitely too bad this is the last thing they came out with
RIP

Anonymous (April 10, 2005)

I really enjoy a small victory, but i have trouble calling it punk. The vocal style and tempo really just dont bring punk to my mind. It seems closest to pop-rock to me. It still rocks. Best songs, Hell-bent on heaven's smile, Farewell capeside (total best one), james dean b-side, and limosines and cheap cigars

Anonymous (December 7, 2004)

a small victory is so great.

Anonymous (October 29, 2004)

i like em

Anonymous (October 29, 2004)

Good Band imo ...

Anonymous (October 19, 2004)

This cd is nasty.....

Anonymous (October 19, 2004)

This cd is unbelievably good......soooooooo good..... ill just say
Amy Never Misses, Otis, and Blindmans Holiday are amazing.... and if any of you fuckers disagree, you can f off

Anonymous (September 18, 2004)

i am in love with ASV if its pure shit, fuck you

Anonymous (September 14, 2004)

your moms pure shit...aww snap

Anonymous (September 14, 2004)

this is pure shit

inagreendase (September 10, 2004)

now they are pretty much strictly punk rock.

...sorry?

Anonymous (September 10, 2004)

lobster used to have mock orange and jargon. now they are pretty much strictly punk rock.