Millencolin “True Brew” Album Review
Millencolin is releasing their first new album in eight years, so this could be somewhat of a comeback for the band. I heard about the upcoming record last month, but haven’t heard much buzz [read the PWV announcement here]. I can imagine that fans are hoping it doesn’t mimic Machine 15, the band’s last release (2008), which seemed to signify a much different sound and a direction that most OG fans weren’t too thrilled about. I can tell you before even starting that True Brew is NOTHING LIKE THAT.
Available 04.28.15 via Epitaph Records
Track List
Egocentric Man
Chameleon
Autopilot Mode
Bring Me Home
Sense & Sensibility
True Brew
Perfection Is Boring
Something I Would Die For
Silent Suicide
Man Of 1000 Tics
Mr. Fake Believe
Believe In John
I have to start off by saying that I was never an avid Millencolin listener back in their heyday. I’m not saying they weren’t good or anything, I just simply didn’t have their records. With that said, I am doing this review with, pretty much, a clean slate. The opening track, Egocentric Man, is very reminiscent of Bad Religion and even Face to Face, so if you’re a fan of those bands, I’m sure you’ll be stoked! Actually, the entire album is pretty much a mix of those two bands for me. This track is exceptionally catchy as well, I tend to have it in my head for a while after listening to it. So… if you hate that sort of thing, then you won’t be stoked.
Chameleon is another catchy track and the intro reminds me of Strung Out a lot, which made me like it because, well, I really like Strung Out. Thus far, I’ve got a really good impression of the record because every band it reminds me of is a band I like. Now I know for a fact when you people listen to Autopilot Mode, you will think of no band but Bad Religion with an intro like that. Besides that though, it’s a really nice song with a good mix of melodies and quick, catchy chorus.
I’m going to skip ahead to talk about my favorite track on the record, which also happens to be the title track, True Brew. I wasn’t sure what the band meant in the name, but I can tell you is has nothing to do with beer. Instead, with lyrics like:
“I don’t want to live my life doing stuff I don’t like to do // I just wanna spend my time on creating something true.”
.. I can only imagine that they are referring to simply staying true and doing what you love instead of feeling the need to conform or do anything to make other people satisfied with your life. It’s a really, really great song with fantastic lyrics and I think it’s something pretty much everyone listening can relate to.
The next track, Perfection is Boring, keeps the same upbeat, catchy pace as the preceding songs and is one of the tracks that really reminds me of Face to Face. It’s simple and doubtful to be your favorite song on the record, but a good track nonetheless. The following track, Wall of Doubt, on the other hand is probably my second favorite track on the record. The chorus has such a great sound to it, I found myself skipping back and listening to the track again once it was over. I don’t do that often!
Without boring you with anymore of the specifics, I can tell you that this is an excellent record. There is literally nothing about it that I hate and I’ve been listening to it pretty much every day since I got it to review. I highly recommend pre-ordering this record and not missing out. You can check out the track Sense & Sensibility below and stay tuned for more previews!
About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
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