Capone return from their hiatus with a couple of tracks of a rude nature. That’s rude as in in your face and punchy – not that they’re singing about nuns in flagrante or owt.
‘Twisted’ has forthright energy and a phoned-in-through-a-megaphone type vocal. Although they’re known for their ska rumblings it really only heads totally in that direction about half way through.
Prior to that, though the honking horns parp along, there’s more of post punk vibe. Bass heavy enough, in a Jah Wobble style, to rattle your windows, guitars scratchy enough to loosen your earwax.
‘Girl’ has the same voice production but far more obvious rudeboy credentials. Not the biggest ska fan but it wins for not being overtly self-aware and reverential. Far more aggressive attitude and less of the vaguely camp and overly stylised meanderings that put me off more commercial pretenders in the past.
Maybe this is post-ska? Definitely some more grit and seediness which improves matters no end. Even a slight Franz Ferdinand vibe which they may or may not thank me for thinking.
I like it. Nods to a style that may seem a little passe but it’s modern and not in the least nostalgic.
- J Mascis - 24 January 2015
- Capone and the Bullets - 13 January 2015
- Mondkopf - 12 January 2015