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Colour Revolt

Plunder, Beg, and Curse (2008)
Fat Possum Records

Reviewer Rating:

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

Published on May 16th 2008

With Colour Revolt's self-titled EP, the band had laid to tape one of the most epic and cathartic versions of The Moon & Antarctica-era Modest Mouse thought possible. Apparently that was good enough for them, because their full-length followup, Plunder, Beg, and Curse attempts to adopt more than an Oxford comma -- a more brooding style of indie rock, which results in about as fantastic a work as background music can be.

It's important to mention that producer Clay Jones gives Colour Revolt a bizarrely grungy vibe, like an early Sub Pop release. Whether it was for better or worse is hard to tell. But the fuzz and noisy dirges of "Elegant View" are illuminated by Jones' touch, showing that the band has all but ditched the atmosphere of Colour Revolt for an occasionally more smothering flinch. However, that's not to say there isn't room to breathe; post-rock twinkles are sprinkled in opener "Naked and Red" and "Moses of the South," while guitars bark and sway in "See It."

Jesse Coppenbarger is at once the problem and the solution to all of this. The vocalist tends to deliver his thematically and symbolically religious and generally cryptic lyrics in a slightly lower register, with hints of both faux-Brit accent and Southern drawl. It's an assuredly interesting mix, but he rarely reaches beyond this tone and never eclipses the aggression showcased on the EP. He gets a little uppity during the record's third-quarter or so, but it's mostly a jejune section that largely passes by unnoticed.

While admittedly more unique than its preceding EP, Colour Revolt's Plunder, Beg, and Curse is a consistently curious but sometimes unremarkable effort. They promise multiple explosions but, like a firework with a broken fuse, doesn't always deliver them.

Naked and Red

STREAM
A Siren
Moses of the South
Ageless Everytime

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youwinalemon (May 18, 2008)

I'm not sure if they're still a Christian band, but they definitely used to be one. They also used to be called Fletcher and were pretty terrible.

I'm glad these guys are getting popular, as it's nice to see a Mississippi band get some recognition. That said, I've never been an enormous fan. I still haven't heard this album, but I did listen to the first track a while back and I thought that was a lot better than their old stuff. It also reminded me an awful lot of The Constantines, but maybe that's just me.

victim (May 18, 2008)

Is there some pun or double meaning to the term Oxford comma? I'm wracking my brain on this one. If not the reference makes sense but barely..

miker (May 18, 2008)

I wrote the review for CR's first EP on this site, and I wholeheartedly agree with this review. If you hadn't hit the nail on the head, I would have went ahead and did it myself. Awesome review, unfortunately not as awesome release.

HonestAbe (May 17, 2008)

Yea, that's kinda what I figured the kid who told me about them is kinda into the whole christian scene a little bit. But I just thought with them being on Fat Possum and all, that might not be the case.

That sadi they still kick ass, and it has no bearing on them as a whole as they simply use some of the stories and stuff without ever trying to preach about anything

name (May 17, 2008)

not that I'm 100% sure, but given this band's connection to manchester orchestra and brand new (two other bands whose religious overtones don't bother me just cause they're so damn good) and what i've observed of their following down here in the south (christ-core bros who don't listen to anything secular), im guessing they'd refer to themselves as "christian". whatever the fuck that means now anyway.

mikelagglesby (May 17, 2008)

well written review. this band does not offend me.

HonestAbe (May 16, 2008)

Pretty dead on review. It's a good album, but kinda a let down from the potential showed on the e.p. I feel like these guys are going to eventually put out an incredible album though. Hopefully next time...

Not that it makes any difference, but I've often wondered if they are a christian band? A lot of the lyrics have to do with biblical imagery, on both this and the e.p. Fat Possume doesn't seem to be the ideal label for a Christian indie rock band, but who knows