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I first recieved Caleb Lionheart's Think Hardcore, Play Pop Punk as a limited edition CD-R in late 2008. A few weeks later, it reappeared in my mailbox (well, on my doorstep, really -- it came in an LP mailer) as a bizarro CD/cassette/screenprinted artwork combo. And just to make things more confusing, it's being released this month on a one-sided 12". Pretty ambitious effort by their label, Farewell Party.

Musically, the band is a little confusing, too, since the EP's title is a slight misnomer. It probably leads listeners to think they'll be treated with the same style of 21st century hardcore-influenced pop-punk that could give you something as good as Set Your Goals or atrocious as Four Year Strong. Caleb Lionheart reside somewhere in the middle (success-wise), but don't really conform to either side.

Instead, Caleb Lionheart take an undeniable influence from defunct punks and fellow upstate NY-birthed Marathon, with an Aaron Scott-ish vocalist and cognitive abilities miles ahead of the average pop-punk band. "I've felt strong dislike but could never hate anything that bleeds, no matter what race," says Tony Bucci in opener "Adrenaline." "'Cuz even with the promise of amnesty and a loaded clip, I couldn't just pull the trigger and not give a shit." "Rules of Attraction" is an age-appropriate anaylsis of college students dealing in cheap love.

Despite that clear social awareness, they've still got an inherently poppy flair, but it's one that usually succeeds because it's never too cutesy. "Home," despite its Marathon-ish bridge, sounds a bit like mid-era Lagwagon -- another influence Caleb isn't afraid to champion -- as does "Keep Time, Lose Track."

Though Caleb sound a little too amateur on much of this EP to really make the intended impact, it's some really promising stuff. The guitars are crunchy enough, their melodies are compelling enough and the thoughtfulness of their lyrics is pretty refreshing. Shit just needs to gel a little more, something that could very well happen on their third straight EP coming out in the spring, Climbing Up a Mountain Just for the View.

STREAM
Think Hardcore, Play Pop Punk EP



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    Posted by lessthangene on 2009-05-05 19:41:10
    My Score:

    i think this is a pretty solid album overall. it took me a couple of listens to really get into, but it's good.

    and i don't understand why you keep reviewing all of these if you can't stand the genre. so a lot of bands are playing "hardcore influenced pop punk." that doesn't mean they're jumping on a band wagon, it's what they like. maybe i just don't understand, who knows.

    Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2009-03-23 17:42:36

    Nah, them bands do fought hard!

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-03-23 15:05:28

    "Good, let's stop hogging up a bands review who they've fighted hard (first paragraph) to get, I'm sure we're both way too busy for doing this anyways."

    Them bands do fighted hard.

    Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2009-03-23 13:14:58
    My Score:

    OF COURSE it means nothing, as i said, it was the second line correlated to the first, not the first alone and the fact that you even think i implied that just makes me roll eyes, you shouldn't even consider that being an opinion.

    I didn't say that you weren't "active in the scene", I'm sure you sure you do a good job and will move on to even better things.

    I don't have any opinion at all about you, why would I? I don't know anything about you and unless our roads happen to cross in real life I don't see any reason why I should and neither should you (asshole, fuckwad). But anyways, we don't have a problem, do we? Good, let's stop hogging up a bands review who they've fighted hard (first paragraph) to get, I'm sure we're both way too busy for doing this anyways.

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2009-03-23 12:46:26

    And not to make another comment but it has to be said... the whole me liking this because I'm a girl means nothing either. It shouldn't matter, but the only other people I know that like Caleb Lionheart as well happen to be dudes, and the three times I've seen them its been mostly dudes singing along and rocking out too.

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2009-03-23 12:39:38


    You don't need to get so damn defensive, post three times and call me names. You like to socialize, that's fine.


    It's way more than just "socializing". I book shows, I do a radio show, and I work publicity for small bands and small labels... I'm very actively involved in this music scene and work/interview/talk to all sorts of bands, and I would only make a comment like that if I truly felt a band was worthy of the praise they were given all-around. But you didn't know any of that.

    Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2009-03-23 09:57:31

    It doesn't have anything to do with sexism at all, dudes do this too from a slightly different but way more creepy angle and that's just so brain dead that I won't waste time thinking about it.

    Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2009-03-23 09:51:52

    It wasn't as much 1) as it was 1) coupled with 2). I definently didn't mean to judge, I was commenting on the vibe those two things come off as in general.
    You're right, i know nothing and that's why asked a question about why people have to do that because I've got first-hand experience with that and no matter how hard I try to ignore it I can never shake it off completly.

    You don't need to get so damn defensive, post three times and call me names. You like to socialize, that's fine.

    Posted by grafixx on 2009-03-23 02:10:18

    i think the review was pretty spot on. the lyrics are good, the instrumentation was tight.

    also, loving the comment war.

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2009-03-22 18:30:35

    Not that it makes a difference to you but I hate this type of pop punk normally.

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2009-03-22 18:17:00

    Give me a musilini, give me your AIM screen name or email. I would like to have a mature discussion with you and defend my position.

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2009-03-22 18:14:39


    I had no reason to think that they were genuinely bad dudes or anything, but seriously, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO DO THIS?

    Yeah, you hung out with the band and sorta made out with their bassist and have myspaced them about coming to the next show, we get it.


    You're an asshole who's gonna judge me because I'm a girl. Fuckwad. You know nothing. I didn't have to throw that in there and now I regret that I did.

    Posted by icapped2pac on 2009-03-22 12:15:54
    My Score:

    Not awful, but I can't really get into it either. I think it's the vocals, but I wonder if I wouldn't have cared if I hadn't read these comments first...

    Posted by MikeMoak on 2009-03-22 09:44:37

    Think Cali, play Albany!!!

    Posted by eazyd2 on 2009-03-22 02:22:51

    these guys are a buch of cocksuckers. i kicked the shit out of the drummer one night just because he looked like a moron.

    Posted by elephantdwarf on 2009-03-21 19:31:53

    wow these vocals fucking suck really hard.

    Posted by nate_derby on 2009-03-21 16:53:27
    My Score:

    Fuck the haters - I put money into this band and record because it rules.

    Posted by mclz on 2009-03-21 16:42:41

    this band blows

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-03-21 15:24:15

    "However, why is it that the only positive comment is:
    1) by a girl"

    sexist asshole.

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-03-21 15:23:33

    These guys are awesome dudes so awesome the most awesomest dudes in the whole world. Sooooooooooo awesomef;ogibjnlfgkjnfglkjvnlkjgnh cgjmb m,. Bjk. N

    Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2009-03-21 13:16:34

    I don't want to start anything, but this is just so god damn typical.
    I listened to the stream a few months back and i remember it being... yeah, i think there were a few songs and it was a band playing but that's it.

    However, why is it that the only positive comment is:
    1) by a girl
    2) ends with them being "amazing guys".

    I had no reason to think that they were genuinely bad dudes or anything, but seriously, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO DO THIS?

    Yeah, you hung out with the band and sorta made out with their bassist and have myspaced them about coming to the next show, we get it.

    Posted by friokir on 2009-03-21 10:47:45
    My Score:

    you definitely need to listen to those tracks for more than a couple of times to understand the intricate complexities behind the weird production and high vocals.

    Posted by Hey_Asshole on 2009-03-21 04:28:26

    haha...Static X record advert to my left.

    what the fuck is that about?

    Posted by xote on 2009-03-21 02:10:13
    My Score:

    Jesus this shit is horrible. This is the worst i've heard of these hardcore/pop punk bands. Damn that dudes voice is crap and those screaming/gang vocals are so contrived. BLAH!!!

    Posted by mattramone on 2009-03-20 16:38:58
    My Score:

    Score is for people who don't know that they just got troll'd.

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-03-20 14:39:52
    My Score:

    Score is for Barrie and Me. Really, are there any cooler people on this site?

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2009-03-20 14:23:09
    My Score:

    Score is for people who clearly have nothing better to do than shit talk people on the internet, especially people who WEREN'T trying to start arguments in the first place. ugh.

    Posted by R3vengeTherapy on 2009-03-20 14:16:47

    hahahaha baited and HOOKED.

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2009-03-20 14:15:34

    I also love how I wasn't trying to put down anyone else's opinion but you had to turn it into a flame-war.

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2009-03-20 14:13:16


    Score is for people who know the band and rate their album based on how nice they are.


    You're an idiot who judges automatically on comments. I liked the band before I knew or met them. not that it matters because contrary to what you say, I know tons of shitty bands with nice members and I NEVER judge anyone based on that. I also know good bands with shitty people.

    Posted by R3vengeTherapy on 2009-03-20 13:57:59
    My Score:

    Score is for people who know the band and rate their album based on how nice they are.

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2009-03-20 13:41:40
    My Score:

    I'm gonna have to respectfully disagree with everyone saying bad stuff... Caleb Lionheart is one of the better and more talented acts in this genre, and despite what the title says have absolutely NO hardcore influence. Tony definitely does sound like a poppier Aaron Scott too which I don't think is a bad thing.

    Catchy and fun record, plus the band are awesomely great guys.

    Posted by R3vengeTherapy on 2009-03-20 12:48:03
    My Score:

    This is trend-riding trash. I heard this EP last year and I still cringe when I hear their name. I'm really sick of all the bands that try to get some slice of the pie when a style of music becomes popular. Completely uninspired.

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-03-20 10:37:45
    My Score:

    Score is for Aaron Scott. That dude is not only a lyrical genius, but he's a phenominal singer.

    This record is meh. I think I am starting to hate "hardcore influenced" pop punk more than 90's skate punk. This isn't as bad as say, Four Year Strong, it's still not good to me.

    Posted by miniblindbandit on 2009-03-20 10:25:06

    sound is good. still not a big fan of the vocals.