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Epitaph Records -- Millencolin

I, for one, am a proponent of digital EPs. While having a case and booklet with artwork is nice, EPs are classically overpriced when released as a hard copy. Releasing an EP digitally drops the price both at point of sale and for the band/label, and being able to click your mouse once and having the music seconds later is a fine form of instant gratification. The Draft had a few leftovers in their refrigerator, so what cheaper, easier and faster way to get them to the fans than release them digitally?

This self-titled digital EP (and eventually, dual 7" released through No Idea) is up to par with In a Million Pieces. It's more of the same catchy post-punk found on said full-length, which hardly makes it any worse. "Stop Wastin' My Time" is a musically upbeat tune, but lyrically suggests otherwise: "It's bullshit. It's bullshit, but I'll repeat it. Ain't got enough sense just to leave it. Got my tounge tied up, I can feel it." "Up All Night" is one of the better songs in the Draft's entire catalog, taking the guitar and bass for a walk through the verses that lead to a loud chorus fit for screaming along. The song on this EP seemingly garnering the most buzz is "Devil in the Shade" and rightfully so -- the song has an urgency not really audible in much of the Draft's other work. Judging by the recording date, "Na Na Na" is one of the first songs the Draft ever put to tape and it shows. It sounds more like a demo but the rawness doesn't detract from the quality of the song. Fun fact: Brian Baker of Minor Threat / Dag Nasty / Bad Religion plays guitar on "Devil in the Shade" and "Up All Night."

Simply put, If you enjoyed In a Million Pieces, you'll enjoy this. If you didn't, this EP certainly won't convert you. It's four more solid additions to the Draft's catalog, and it's definitely worth the small price some download services are selling it for.



People who liked this also liked:
None More Black - This Is SatireA Wilhelm Scream - Mute PrintBad Religion - New Maps of HellA Wilhelm Scream - RuinerRise Against - The Sufferer & the WitnessMe First and the Gimme Gimmes - Love Their CountryMuch the Same - SurviveThe Falcon - UnicornographyRise Against - Revolutions Per MinuteLucero - Rebels, Rogues, & Sworn Brothers



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    Posted by redbeard on 2007-04-14 13:41:02
    My Score:

    good stuff all around impressed

    Posted by icapped2pac on 2007-04-12 16:21:02
    My Score:

    It's pretty obvious to me why these songs didn't make the album, especially "Na Na Na". Decent, but still just OK.

    And why are all you assholes bitching about digital music when the real question is: is Michael Turner really worth a first round pick? Please forward your answers to Marv Levy.

    Posted by damo on 2007-04-12 14:06:19
    My Score:

    not liked anything they've done. saw them support Bouncing Souls and the music just seemed dull

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 2:05 PM (EDT)

    it's also on vinyl from No Idea for 3 fucking dollars, moron.
    - the world

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 12:18 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    score is for the new mad caddies

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 3:01 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I wont buy it because its digital. digital releases are bullshit. and this makes me not care to listen to it at all. way to go guys.

    Posted by Not-To-Regret on 2007-04-11 05:56:30
    My Score:

    post-punk?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 11:59 PM (EDT)

    it is not fucking download only no idea is printing the vinyl, so quit your bitching. also stop complaining about bands going digital, record stores are closing down left and right, labels are going out of business. the music industry has to change with the times. haven't heard this ep yet but in a million peices did not dissapoint.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 11:21 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    So, did that guy fall on a fucking landmine? What happened?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 7:43 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Not good and I loved HWM.

    Posted by Scruffy on 2007-04-10 16:13:12

    "I agree with the anonymous idiot; downloading music, even if you pay for it, is cheapening the artistic vision of the band. And, what if your hard drive crashes? CDRs degrade a lot faster than commercial CDs do,which, coincidentally, degrade a lot faster than vinyl does. Maybe there's a pattern here..."

    Yeah, but files on a computer don't ever degrade. You just gotta keep a backup.

    I'm against digital only. I'm just playing devil's advocate.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 2:51 PM (EDT)

    ""Stop Wastin' My Time" should have been on the full-length, no question. It's close to being their best song so far."

    it was on the full length but only for the Australian release.

    Posted by baptist_general on 2007-04-10 14:26:29

    "What about kids who dont have credit cards that want to buy cds? fuck this download only shit."

    take your hard earned pennies to a store and buy an itunes voucher...

    its not fucking brain surgery!

    and about downloads killing the music industry! have people forgot that music is a form of art and not an industry??? illegal downloads aint helping the artists i admit that! but with the growth of digital releases comes the growth of music as an art form because bands dont have to worry about being signed blah blah blah

    cd's weren't around when i was a kid so i aint gonna miss em! as long as i have the music, the art and the passion i'm set!

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 1:41 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    What about kids who dont have credit cards that want to buy cds? fuck this download only shit.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 1:35 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Everyone's been getting worked up about downloads and such lately and while I don't want to get involved in a similar pissing match, I will say to anyone who's bitching about digital releases: get used to it. I like CD's better too, and I intend on buying more, but I'm not going to bitch and moan when labels stop releasing them.

    This EP is rad, though. Devil in the Shade is one of the band's best jams...

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 1:31 PM (EDT)

    I agree with the anonymous idiot; downloading music, even if you pay for it, is cheapening the artistic vision of the band. And, what if your hard drive crashes? CDRs degrade a lot faster than commercial CDs do,which, coincidentally, degrade a lot faster than vinyl does. Maybe there's a pattern here...
    -feeeding5000

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 1:02 PM (EDT)

    great EP, great review, great band
    devil in the shade is probably my favorite

    Posted by baseball on 2007-04-10 09:23:26
    My Score:

    solid EP, it's always nice getting some new stuff between full lengths

    "Up All Night" is probably my favorite on here

    Posted by gregs on 2007-04-10 08:34:24

    Can't blame you for saying "eventually" about the vinyl but I'm pretty sure both have been released already

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 8:33 AM (EDT)

    i stopped reading this after the first sentence. fuck you and your shit downloads. this was also put out on 7". thats $3.00 asshole. your help in destroying music. fuck downloading and your shit opinion.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 6:37 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Great band. Great ep.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 5:39 AM (EDT)

    "Fun Fact" it sounds like we have a faithful reader of the RevHq.com newsletter.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 3:40 AM (EDT)

    'up all night' is the bands finest moment so far

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2007-04-10 01:35:52

    i wouldn't really consider this post-punk though...it's just punk rock to me, and i wouldn't have it any other way.

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2007-04-10 01:02:39
    My Score:

    I really love this. I was gonna review it if it didn't get a review, but I think it's awesome that this is only $1.50 on downloadpunk.com.

    Posted by andrethegiant on 2007-04-10 00:31:59
    My Score:

    i was kinda let down by this. it sounds so carelessly put together. and for some reason the bass lines really bother me. that said, i'm still totally stoked to see them at the triple rock.

    Posted by R3venge_Therapy on 2007-04-10 00:30:19
    My Score:

    "Stop Wastin' My Time" should have been on the full-length, no question. It's close to being their best song so far.

    Posted by joshcbfl on 2007-04-10 00:21:10

    Good review.

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