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Kover

Assembly (2006)
Engineer Records

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

Published on August 1st 2006

Ontario's Kover (ex-Blue Skies at War) have been a band in receipt of a lot of good vibes over the past year or so. With a traditional hard-worn punk rock sound in the vein of Leatherface and early (and perhaps a bit gruffer) Samiam, these guys deliver plenty of energy and sharp musicianship. Although Assembly is the band's first formal full-length, the most striking thing about Kover is that they sound like a seasoned group of veterans who have been writing and playing together for years and years. Kover stay within a comfortable range of mid-to-fast tempos and allow the stellar guitar playing to do most of the leading.

With an almost uncanny straightforwardness, each song on Assembly delivers one hook after another. "Asphalt and Stone" derives a kind of speedy pleasure directly from the title of the track -- this song is made for cruising along the open road as tall buildings and neon lights streak by. "Extinguisher" takes a different path, slowing itself down until the song becomes a mere series of stop-and-stop guitar chugs, seemingly falling into a pile of splinters, while the following, "It Girl," despite the lame title, winds the crank up again with a soaring, sticking chorus and dramatic, bass-heavy rhythmic bridge. Kover doesn't overstay its welcome on this 12-song release, with the whole thing clocking in around 35 minutes. Assembly is long enough for it to burrow deep into your brain, but short enough to make it an easy candidate for the "repeat button."

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blake88 (August 4, 2006)

by putting ex blue skies at war you make it sound like they just changed their name in fact when there are just a couple members who were formerly in the afformentioned band.

i saw this band play in an almost empty hockey arena opening for some ska bands they weren't that great not nearly as good as BSAW. but big ups to them for playing MCDC 2006 because that is just a great show even if Moneen is breaking their streak of 6 straight years of playing this event.

drewcifer (August 3, 2006)

eh sorry pal, i'll take kover over lock and key any day, and did you just put word out on the street for everyone to check out Samiam? Thanks for that scoop, Romero.

Anonymous (August 3, 2006)

haha the song titles are all lame on this, and it's not as good as samiam. check that band out first. or for a newer comparison -- lock and key.

Anonymous (August 2, 2006)

"Yep... we just shill for anyone with a suitcase of C-notes..."

That's what it looks like. What's sad is you're probably not taking home anything more than promo CDs and free Sloppy Meatmeaters buttons.

Razor_Crusade (August 2, 2006)

Will definitely be in my top albums of the year. For a first album, these guys play incredibly well together. Hope they tour the states sometime soon.

pastepunk (August 2, 2006)

//I've always wondered if it's because his website gets advertising dollars from punk record companies//

Yep... we just shill for anyone with a suitcase of C-notes...

SloaneDaley (August 1, 2006)

I've only heard a few mp3's but this shit is fantastic from what I have heard, I hope I get to catch these guys live.

Anonymous (August 1, 2006)

For an attorney, the reviewer is waaaaay too positive about everything. I've always wondered if it's because his website gets advertising dollars from punk record companies...? Regardless, it'd be nice to get more than a glorified press release.

drewcifer (August 1, 2006)

fucking great band, big ups on the down tuning.

Inspection12e (August 1, 2006)

I need to place a big Engineer order. As soon as they get the Elemae rerelease.

ramo (August 1, 2006)

I can definitely hear the Samiam inflluence. I like this record.

Ramo