Punknews.orgPunknews.org Logo
Review Navigator

BackForward

Features

 

Contests

 


Reviews



Balboa

Manifeste Canniballe
2005
Forge Again

Balboa - Manifeste Canniballe (Cover Artwork)


Review by: Anchors
See others by this writer

[staff]

I Hated Rocky IV (link)

Only registered users
can post comments

Print this Review Send this Review to a Friend

Published on April 19th 2005

Though the name Balboa is sure to make movie fans everywhere reminiscent of Rocky running up the steps or punching out Mr. T, I assure you there’s no correlation between bad acting and Philadelphia's finest hardcore exports. Please, do not confuse the two. While one was out filming "Spy Kids 3-D," the other was recording Manifeste Canniballe, and I assure you that the latter holds up a hell of a lot better than the former. Unbeknownst to me, Balboa have provided a proverbial kick in the ass with an album that seems to channel the chaos and ferocity of Jane Doe-era Converge, only adding a political agenda to the already volatile nature of the music.

It’s almost scary just how much singer Peter Bloom sounds like Jake Bannon at times, though I suppose that’s not a bad place to start if you’re going to be associated with an established hardcore act. The vocals are the album's main strength, and it carries the songs in places where other vocalists might have faltered. Spastic and frenzied but never breaking under the pressure, the scream stands out above the raging guitar and pounding drums that occupy the background, a task I assure you is not easily accomplished, as the drumming is relentless, and the guitars just as loud as they are technical, able to start and stop and change sounds completely on a dime. Balboa leave you no time to catch your breath in between songs, let alone during them. The EP’s fourth track, "End To Major Combat," is where Balboa really showcases the dynamic and hectic nature of the music, and also where their politics really shine through.

In the album’s liner notes, there’s an "Attention" notice, basically proclaiming the band's beliefs and troubles with the nation in a nutshell. In it are various calls to have your own opinion heard, namely in the last two lines: “This group of brigands is comprised of people you might not expect: a priest, a history teacher, a homeless person, a boyfriend, a kid working the drive-thru window, or even you and me / Don’t forget we need each other more than ever now, don’t forget the power of your own voice.”

In "End To Major Combat," after the building tension from the drums and guitar, everything culminates when the vocals, full of passion and vigor, come crashing through after the crescendo. This is the level of passion and intensity so many hardcore bands strive for, and succeed only in looking like they’re trying way too hard. It’s authentic with Balboa, and this song, musically and lyrically, is the perfect showcase of that fact; “Herald the new dawn, wave to the gulls / Celebrate your victory, ivy cowboy / Kill ‘em all, lie in your new sandbox / Assure the kids clinging to your words / G.I. Joe will save the day.”

A very impressive debut EP is to be found here courtesy of Balboa. Deeply rooted in political conscience and as passionate and chaotic as you can hope to be, this is a real breath of fresh air to those of us whose heads have been in the sand recently. Bands like this remind me why I still hold onto the hope that hardcore can be spastic and intense, but still have something to say again. They’ve got me listening.



People who liked this also liked:
The Holy Mountain - Enemies16 Horsepower - Hoarse [reissue]Mabus - Cheers, To Doomsday GloomAmerican Distress - American DistressCasket Architects - Dance on the Death NerveCross Examination - The Hung JuryBracket - RequiemNo Thanks - Demo / Live: CBGBs [reissues]A Global Threat - Where the Sun Never SetsPolar Bear Club - The Redder, The Better



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.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 5:54 PM (EDT)

    I hear Dr Dreidle is popular with the Jewish community too.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 5:43 PM (EDT)

    http://retarddisco.com/video/tr_mike_tysons_punch_out.mov

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 5:00 PM (EDT)

    "I just got this disc in the mail, and it is an intelligent shotgun blast to the dick."
    - Ex: Why hardcore kids/music in general are/is retarded.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 1:33 AM (EDT)

    Rambo series was great. almost as good as "over the top"

    Posted by Anchors on 2005-04-20 23:41:10

    Or Jewbreaker, perhaps?

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at 9:04 PM (EDT)

    "Hell, there's probably jews who listen to Skrewdriver. "

    Fuck no, man, they listen to JEWDRIVER!

    -Ken

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at 9:02 PM (EDT)

    No disrespect meant, but RAMBO are the kings of Philly hardcore.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at 7:19 PM (EDT)

    Sorry Dr. civperc.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at 5:30 PM (EDT)

    But if Stallone had to be in a movie in which killer seals tried to destory the environment, he'd be no match for the mighty Seagal.

    Joe

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at 4:49 PM (EDT)

    Not even close. Steven Segal and Vin Diesel will never be in a movie like "Cop Land".

    -BSD

    Posted by Anchors on 2005-04-19 23:53:58

    Rocky I-III were good, but nobody can defend 4 and 5, or Stalone's career as a whole for that matter. He's a joke. Not as bad as Vin Deisel or Steven Segal, but close.

    Posted by Kenjamin on 2005-04-19 22:42:12

    also, Rocky is still fucking gold after 20 years. This band in 20 years? probably long forgotten

    Posted by Kenjamin on 2005-04-19 22:40:44

    did you just put this band over the Rocky series?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 9:21 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This band is where it is at!Obviously 15-20 year old kids who are into "modern hardcore" which means they cry about thier shitty girlfriends, live at home, and thier parents bought thier tour bus, aren't going to understand this disc. I have seen this band live a couple times, and they don't show up to a show to sell you shit. They wear thier beliefs on thier sleeves and faces. These guys are the real deal and are probably influenced by bands most of you have never heard of, or are to young to remember, or care about. I think they may be the last of a dying breed. I just got this disc in the mail, and it is an intelligent shotgun blast to the dick. I hope when they come through my town, and maybe play my basement, they fucking rock till I explode.

    Posted by civperc on 2005-04-19 21:02:22

    does it *well*

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 8:44 PM (EDT)

    To: Soulbleed,
    I dont like when people throw our words to make fun of a person to piss them off, but seriously, Fuck You. Just fuck off, and dont come back. And fuck all you who are bitching about politics and music. Hmm, what should they sing about? Girls? Leave that to Conor, he does it good. You all are being assholes. Music is music. We sing about what we want to sing about.

    Posted by Anchors on 2005-04-19 17:37:36

    That's an absolute bullshit arguement. I'm a fan of Embrace Today, Comeback Kid, and other straight edge hardcore bands, though I'm in no way straight edge, nor have I ever been.

    Hell, there's probably jews who listen to Skrewdriver. Your entire arguement is to enjoy music for musics sake, so why do lyrics get in the way of that? Besides, how do you know the members aren't deeply involved in the politics of their area? This isn't some bullshit case of a know-nothing celebrity speaking out on a political issue they know nothing of.

    If you want to enjoy music for its own sake, then do it, stop bitching.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 5:32 PM (EDT)

    That's bullshit... That's taking art at face value as mere "entertainment" with no message or substance.

    -BSD

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 3:46 PM (EDT)

    I haven't listened to them, so I won't comment on the actual music. But I'm tired of bands trying to throw political messages into their songs to try to convicne me how to think. Just go up there to let people have a good time, not to preach your opinions.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 4:40 AM (EDT)

    wheres the despistado review

    Posted by moneenerd on 2005-04-19 01:55:09

    sounds interesting nonetheless.

    Posted by soulbleed on 2005-04-19 01:54:47

    crass? you're such a faggot.

    anyway, balboa is pretty good. haven't heard this cd yet though. i assume it's like their other stuff.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 1:52 AM (EDT)

    My high horse being that lately I've been listening to Crass, RP, and the likes? I'm sorry, but the lyrics just seem bad to me compared to these other political groups.

    -BSD

    Posted by Anchors on 2005-04-19 01:42:41

    Hey BSD, just curious as to how the view from your high horse is?

    When you come down to the level the rest of us common folk are at, we'll talk.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 1:05 AM (EDT)

    yea thats exactly what i meant....youre good

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 1:04 AM (EDT)

    Why? You like them young, I take it?

    -BSD

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 1:01 AM (EDT)

    i would love to see a picture of you bsd....your too "punk" to dress punk or normal and youre like 16

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 12:53 AM (EDT)

    Those lyrics are pretty pathetic, but maybe I've been listening to too many bands who actually concentrated on making an intelligent message.

    -BSD

    © 1999-2006 Punknews.org • Terms of Use • Privacy • FAQ • About • ISSN 1710-5366 • RSS RSS Icon