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Castevet

I Know What a Lion Is (2008)
self-released

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

Published on February 3rd 2009

Chicago's Castevet play some of the most seriously challenging beard-rock one can think of. The quartet have the gruff, typically No Idea-esque vocal roar down pat, but they're not backing it up with the usual set of three chords doused in whiskey. There's something lighter and more intricate backing that roar up, and that's a juxtaposition that makes for a really unique sound.

In their handwritten note to the 'org, they note that they get compared to Small Brown Bike, caP'n Jazz, Mineral and Minus the Bear. I can honestly hear hints of all three in there. Opener "Between Berwyn and Bryn Mawr" gets off its shaky emotional footing with some noodly parts, while "Plays One on TV" has those playful mannerisms reminiscent of c'nJ, just with throatier shouts over it all and some muffled backup yells beginning at the three-minute mark that sound like they were sampled right off Four Minute Mile. The closing title track is as majestic as you can get with a recording as muted as this one (the re-recordings on their 'space sound much better).

With songs averaging about five minutes apiece, the band have plenty of time to mix it up, and they utilize it fairly well. Though it doesn't mesh as ideally desired, it's certainly a start. This is a very, very promising and interesting blend of styles I would've never expected to hear collide. Looking forward to the full-length.

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I Know What a Lion Is

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miniblindbandit (February 6, 2009)

they obviously don't know what a lion is 'cause that is a got-dang tiger.

mikexdude (February 6, 2009)

Are you serious? You don't hear cap'n jazz at all?

nightowl (February 6, 2009)

love the record but do NOT hear mineral. gotta stop throwing that band name around. and capn jazz.
otherwise, stellar demo.

andrewg (February 5, 2009)

this is great. short but great.

pacer (February 5, 2009)

Downloaded this today. Awesome. Hopefully they'll be at fest this year.

inagreendase (February 4, 2009)

Minus the Polar Bear Club?

Icapped2pac (February 4, 2009)

LOOOOOOOVE those comparisons. This sounds like something I would dig the shit out of. Hopefully I remember to download it when I get home. Thanks for reviewing this and bringing it to my consciousness, Brian.

14theroad (February 3, 2009)

I meant to put three stars.

14theroad (February 3, 2009)

I looked at this initially because it had a tiger on it. Because I love tigers. I'm glad I did. I needed something like this in my life. Just chill as hell.

Inspiredby (February 3, 2009)

great demo, great live band.

codu (February 3, 2009)

Love it when a jem like this pops up on the org.

mikexdude (February 3, 2009)

Holy shit! This is one of the best demos I've ever heard... besides you know, Polar Bear Club's. This is a perfect blend of Small Brown Bike and Cap'n Jazz.

nocigar (February 3, 2009)

Score is for living in Chicago,

and all these great bands.

ohgentlenight (February 3, 2009)

errr, blown away.

ohgentlenight (February 3, 2009)

These guys just signed to count your lucky stars! Haha, which I should know, because I run the label. The full length sounds amazing, you guys are going to be blow away.

http://www.myspace.com/countyourluckystarsrecords