Counterpunch “Bruises” Review
I believe that record reviews are the collective response of the author’s objective opinion and taste on music in general, combined, however, with some undisputed facts. Chicago Illinois’ Counterpunch have been around since 2004, but sadly only hit my radar when they signed to Cyber Tracks this year, so getting to review their latest record “Bruises” coming out on the aforementioned label on August 5th 2014 was a perfect excuse to finally get to know them better.
![CD Digipak (4 Panel One Pocket) [CDDG4T1-004]](http://punkworldviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/CounterpunchAlbumArtSquarePromo300dpi1400.jpg)
Track List
Guardrails
Bruises
Young & Entitled
Heartstrings
No Man’s Land
Destroyed by Lions
Blueprint
Clay Pigeon
Grinder
Peace Through Superior Firepower
Bonfire
On the whole I would say that 60% of what I listen to are bands of the golden Epi – Fat era or anything that sounds like that still, another 30% is anything that sounds like Hot Water Music (including Hot Water Music) and the rest is either heavier or lighter, I even enjoy some genuine pop music occasionally. Counterpunch belong in the first category, so I was pleasantly surprised that they are totally my cup of tea. I did some things around the house while listening to “Bruises”; the second time the record played I turned it way up. I love this record.
The short intro to Guardrails, the first song of the album, gives you an exact taste of the greatness to come. The song springs the urge to instantly sing along to the chorus; the nice bridge part leading up to the gang sung vocals and the breakdown in the end are a great build up.
The title track hits you with another great verse progression and of course another melody charged chorus, while the bridge again is my favorite part of the song. Variety achieved in every essence of the word.
Young & Entitled, the third and probably my favorite track on this wonderful record, could actually be something that would fit right into Pulley’s
“Together Again For The First Time” or even “Esteem Driven Engine”. Punk rock at its finest. Even though I don’t have the liner notes yet, that must be A Wilhelm Scream’s Nuno Pereira joining in on vocals on the second verse of the song and I’m thinking he would probably sky rocket this band, but that’s another story.
The record hits a tiny slump with the next two songs, Heartstrings and No Man’s Land, the songs just not being as great as the three previous ones. Both songs have nice bridge – outro parts respectively, proving these guys are top notch songwriters.
With Destroyed by Lions and Blueprint things again swing into full motion. While different from one another both songs are perfect for distinct reasons. Destroyed by Lions, my second favorite song off “Bruises”, is based on a fine guitar riff, has a darker feel to it and progresses ideally. Blueprint’s chorus was stuck in my head for days, having a highlighting melody to it, probably because of that lead guitar playing octave chords throughout most of the song. Excellent!
Clay Pigeon, struggling to find its way into my top three songs of this record, is the “popiest” feature; even the title hints to that assumption. The line “You’re only real on the weekends” gives a smile to my face when listening to it. Grinder, song number nine, is, on the other hand, a short, fast and aggressive addition and definitely memorable.
Peace Through Superior Firepower has a nice sociopolitical aspect to it lyrically, always a plus in my book. I would have this song be the last one on “Bruises” instead of Bonfire; records should finish with maybe one of the best songs available from a band’s recording session.
I have almost no “bad” things to say about this record. Matt Allison (The Lawrence Arms, Masked Intruder, Dead to Me, AK3, The Menzingers) produced, recorded and mixed “Bruises” so there are no downers here. Counterpunch’s previous effort “Dying to Exonerate the World” has maybe a bit of a heavier balance to it guitar-wise and I actually prefer that recording, but like I stated in the beginning this is just a matter of taste. I highly recommend that record also by the way. What I would have noticed about “Dying to Exonerate the World” if I were reviewing it would be to try and top the better songs on it for the next record Counterpunch make. That was achieved on “Bruises”, but to my ears not at an exceeding point. If you’ve reached a level where you make consistent records consequently, then you need to take the next step by making a record, where eight out of eleven songs are in the same league as the top three on your last one, if not higher. Both records are great but not amazing.
To give this longer review a short epilogue: Counterpunch sound like a combination of the amazing Much the Same (probably not a coincidence that both bands originate from Chicago IL), Pulley and Ten Foot Pole (mostly because of the singing). If you don’t know any of these bands but want to try punk rock aggressiveness with melodic singing, Counterpunch are worth it. The band is on a small but promising label, tours nationally and internationally and has it together when approaching music. Be on the lookout and enjoy their music now, instead of making the mistake I did, not checking them out earlier.
About the Author
Erik Ghint Athens, Greece PWV role : Reviewer Erik was born and has always lived in Athens, Greece. Terrible place but good weather. Studied law and played music on the side, now is a part time lawyer and part time punk rocker. Split personalities are his thing. Still listens to punk rock after 20 years, loves discovering new bands and is nostalgic about punk rock of the nineties. Diss him about his reviews @ https://www.facebook.com/bandage.punkrock.3
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