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Closet Monster is a politically-charged punk rock band out of the Toronto area. Their lyrics can be compared to the likes of Anti-Flag, Propagandhi, and Strike Anywhere, although their latest release gives you something a little different. The lyrics are much more blunt than any I have heard from a political punk band, and it makes for an enjoyable and somewhat empowering listen.

We Rebuilt This City is 7 songs of pure punk rock agression. It can be best described as straightforward punk rock with a lot of gang vocals, thick dual guitars, and some truly amazing bass lines. The vocals are incredibly passionate and manage to hammer home the lyrics with authority. Even on the lone acoustic song on the album, "The Empire Strikes Iraq: A Sad Day For Sovereignty," you can't help but be inspired by the passion the band puts forward. Lines like "I wish all the dead children could be delivered and buried on the White House lawn" describe how relentlessly blunt the lyrics are.

One of the things most interesting about the band is that they give you feelings of rebellion, dissent, and anger while managing to maintain a sense of optimism and unity. In the song "Summer Of '97," the feeling of unity is evident; "All we were searching for was someone or something to believe in. That's why we got each other. 'Cause when they knock one of us down we'll come together underground, and try to conquer the world." Each one of those words sounds like it is being ripped from the lead singer's throat, making for a sense of desperation.

If you like political music of any kind, you will like this release. If you like punk rock that has an uncanny ability to write lyrics that coincide perfectly with the music, you will like this album. I rated it a 7 because there are only 7 songs that clock in at just under 20 minutes. Watch out for this band in the not-so-distant future and be sure to check out their label Underground Operations for some more excellent bands.

I believe if there is any hope for our future, it lies in our struggle."




People who liked this also liked:
Strike Anywhere - Dead FMKid Dynamite - Kid Dynamite88 Fingers Louie - Back On The StreetsRise Against - Revolutions Per MinuteMad Caddies - Just One MoreLagwagon - ResolveLagwagon - BlazePulley - Esteem Driven EngineLagwagon - Let's Talk About FeelingsLagwagon - Hoss



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    Posted by Falconer on 2006-09-05 22:42:50
    My Score:

    Not as good as We Built This City, different mix, inclusion of the acoustic song. I got both, regardless. They have been listened to over and over again. Too bad they broke up in the mist of preparing new tunes.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 1, 2006 at 12:06 PM (EDT)

    this is a sick album boys keep em coming woooooo come play in brockville soonn woot woot ahah that'd be right sick

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at 10:17 PM (EST)

    "Without being mindless like Anti-Flag"? What the fuck?
    I've read this bands' lyrics some of the things they write are freaking lines FROM Anti-Flags songs. (But they're put in slightly different order.) Anti-Flag is awesome, their lyrics are brilliant, they're great and They always will be.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 at 10:47 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    i'm so glad to see you people have nothing better to do than annoynomously rip apart a bunch of solid dudes because you think ajax is in comparison to the O.C.. or because you think avril sucks. with the out look with you bunch of fucking losers on "punk news" no wonder music is going into the shit hole.

    also, no wonder they are doing their last show on the 8th. way to add to the problem.

    and next time, don't quote propagandhi. there are also a band of solid dudes and don't think that they would appreciate assholes trying to steal their lyrical wit.

    up all of yours

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 13, 2005 at 7:13 PM (EDT)

    All you guys who don't like Closet Monster... get a life... do you have nothing better to do with your time?

    Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2005-05-19 23:16:08

    To the person who posted below, how the hell was that a response to my comment?

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 9, 2005 at 7:08 AM (EDT)

    While all three are political, there is a huge difference between A-F, Strike Anywhere and Propagandhi. That's kind of like saying, "they play political music in the vein of fifteen, against me!, or flux of pink indians".

    Yeah, the difference is Anti-Flag is pure crap, Strike Anywhere has sunken downhill times 100, and Prop are too good for your face.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 9, 2005 at 7:06 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Jesus fuck... ok, AMERICANS LISTEN UP:

    Coming from Southern Ontario, it is my duty to inform you that Closet Monster are 0% legit.
    Ajax Ontario is about as legit as the OC. For real.
    These clowns are honestly terrible.
    This also goes for Protest The Hero, etc.
    This is the crap grade 8s listen to.

    Posted by Chason on 2005-05-05 16:08:05

    "You're quoting Propagandhi mr. Anonymous poster three posts down. Now where are my points?

    its from the dead kennedys. minus a thousand. you lose."

    My bad. All i picked up on was "chickenshit conformists."

    Posted by changeisasound on 2005-05-04 19:05:16

    the new propagandi is apparently done the recording phase.... they havent posted a release date or anything

    Posted by hey_sailor on 2005-05-04 15:50:27

    Anyone know what the deal is with the new Propagandhi? That is much more important than what Avril's band is up to nowadays...

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 11:47 PM (EDT)

    These guys are way too overrated. An ok band but that's about it.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 9:34 PM (EDT)

    You're quoting Propagandhi mr. Anonymous poster three posts down. Now where are my points?

    its from the dead kennedys. minus a thousand. you lose.

    Posted by Chason on 2005-05-03 19:51:47

    You're quoting Propagandhi mr. Anonymous poster three posts down. Now where are my points?

    Posted by changeisasound on 2005-05-03 19:19:16

    yes there is a difference between those three bands, but closet monster pulls a little from all of them, it is impossible to to classify a band like that.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 5:34 PM (EDT)

    This band WAS Avril's band.

    That is all.

    CBFL

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 4:26 PM (EDT)

    this band is a faggot

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 4:15 PM (EDT)

    im glad that some bands still have something important yo write about. enough of these macho insecurities and chickenshit conformists (whoever gets these references gets an extra 10 scene points) and whiny highschool lyrics about lost love. punk is supposed to be angry,rebellious, defiant and intelligent, lets get back with that.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 2:38 PM (EDT)

    'What's the connection with Avril's band?'

    The bass player London and one the guitarist's Jess both used to play in Avril's band. London quit early on and went back to playing in Closet Monster and running Underground Operations. Jess toured with Avril in support of her first album and then quit before her second one came out. And now I think he is back in Closet Monster.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 2:26 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this band is so bad! i saw them play and they seriously sound like little kids playing what they think is political, but really they don't understand what it means. and they suck. crazy bad music.

    Posted by Josiah on 2005-05-03 13:10:05
    My Score:

    i really just don't like this band, but i will say that they did put on a good show opening for rise against in kitchener...despite some technical dificulties...

    Posted by fistchode on 2005-05-03 13:05:39

    I think the bass player in this band played in Avril's backing band for a bit, but came to his senses and quit that shit. Not 100% sure though.

    Posted by Daveid on 2005-05-03 11:56:49

    Haven't heard this yet, though I think they had a video for one of the songs on MuchMusic a while back.

    "...Killed the Radio Star" was, in my opinion, their best album. Mostly because it sounded a lot like Dillinger Four.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 8:25 AM (EDT)

    What's the connection with Avril's band?

    And before some fanboy gets all bent out of shape, I'm just asking a question.

    Posted by inanechild on 2005-05-03 07:27:08
    My Score:

    This band is one of the few local bands I'm proud of. Good political lyrics and sing-along choruses, without being mindless like Anti-Flag.

    Posted by swingline on 2005-05-03 01:54:47

    album art record label's logo = better record label

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 12:54 AM (EDT)

    I'm willing to bet this'll be better than Jefferson's Starship.

    Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2005-05-03 00:39:26

    While all three are political, there is a huge difference between A-F, Strike Anywhere and Propagandhi. That's kind of like saying, "they play political music in the vein of fifteen, against me!, or flux of pink indians".

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