Punknews.org LogoPunknews.org

Sign In | create an account

 
Staff IconContents Under Pressure - Just Another Bad Day (Cover Artwork)

Contents Under Pressure

Just Another Bad Day (2007)
self-released

Reviewer Rating:


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


Published on June 6th 2008


There are a slew of factors hurting Illinois rock group Contents Under Pressure before even popping in their latest effort, Just Another Bad Day. First off, the name doesn’t exactly inspire those who hear it. Plus, it abbreviates to CUP. Thanks to the Internet, I associate cups with lady shit. Then there’s the cover, featuring a meteor hurtling towards a computer-generated city. Looks like someone’s been taking digital art night classes.

These are superfluous reasons to dump on the band, though. CUP’s biggest drawback is its music. Torn somewhere between hard rock riffage and string-basted power ballads, CUP will sound incredible if you really, really like patrolling sports bars for tang. I’ll give credit where credit’s due and say that some of these songs (“Me and My Broken Heart,” “Where Did We Go Wrong”) have some sick guitar parts. The solos are ridiculous; even the verses and choruses are powerful. Guitarists Brad Guidera and David Cannek are talented. Same goes for drummer Jeff Lareau. Dude’s beats are intense and his intricate fills, while astounding, never overwhelm the song.

But as a whole, Just Another Bad Day is unspectacular. Quality shredding can’t save lame lyrics about women (sample line from “My Baby”: “And I love her / She loves me / I think that she’s been tellin’ lies.”). Further complicating the matter is the radical shift in tone the songs sometimes take. Referring again to “My Baby,” the tune goes from hard rock to Starbucks balladeer to hard rock again before finding a power ballad middle ground. So while I can get behind CUP’s fondness for cock rock (it’s dumb, but at least it’s fun), I’m bewildered by their more over-earnest moments.

On a technical level, Contents Under Pressure is pretty talented. On a songwriting level, though, they need lots of work. The first thing that needs to go is the string section. Strings ruined better bands like Guns N’ Roses and Oasis, and they’re sure not helping here. Keep the soft rock bits for variety, but maybe rework ‘em a bit to avoid jarring the listener. After that, try finding a new topic to sing about. I don’t know…equestrianism or something. But keep the riffs. Those are always good.



People who liked this also liked:
Alkaline Trio - GoddamnitSmall Brown Bike - Composite, Volume One [7 inch]This Is a Standoff - Be DisappointedNOFX - Heavy Petting ZooFour Year Strong - Rise or Die TryingA Wilhelm Scream - Career SuicideThe Weakerthans - Reunion TourThe Swellers - My EverestThe Swellers - Beginning of the End AgainA Wilhelm Scream - Ruiner

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.
    evilangellus227 (March 20, 2009)

    This album is great in many ways. and i think that you are looking past several factors.
    You negatively commented on the bands lyrical composition. Well, sir, i say that you overlook personal influence at the time of writing.As i recall hearing from drummer Jeff Lareau, one of the band members had just ended a relationship that was the inspiration for many of the lyrics, "Me and My Broken Heart" being an obvious example. However, if you look at the lyrics of "My Baby", it shows again in the lines: "I love her, She loves me, I feel that she's been telling lies." it shows once again the inspiration behind the lyrics.
    On A second note, you commented on the actual music of said band. many of the pieces reminisce the style presented in the 80's, which I'm assuming you weren't a fan of by you r negative comments.
    All in all, i believe that this is a great album for an unsigned band, They present themselves and their skill very well. I know of many people who agree in saying that their music is superior to many bands that are signed, violins and all. Before you go and Judge a person so harshly, ask yourself this: could you do better?
    I think not.

    icapped2pac (June 7, 2008)

    "Thanks to the Internet, I associate cups with lady shit."

    That line had me rolling. Score's for that.

    bryne (June 6, 2008)

    This band sent me a copy of this to review months ago and I couldn't get through it. That fucking singing just ruins it. I'm trying to be more positive these days so I chose not to write it.

    Features

    Exclusive Streams

    Newest Reviews

    Punknews.org Team

    Managing Editor

    Adam White

    News Editors

    Kira Wisniewski
    Brittany Strummer
    Andrew Waterfield
    Katy Hardy
    Matthew Baldwin
    Armando Olivas
    John Flynn

    Video Editor

    Chris Moran

    Social Media Editor

    Justin August

    Copy Editor

    Amelia Cline

    Reviews Editor

    Joe Pelone

    Interviews Editor

    Richard Verducci

    Publisher

    Aubin Paul

    ISSN 1710-5366



    © Copyright 1999-2012 Punknews.org



    Other Places to Go

    Punknews.org Flickr Pool