Rockfreaks.net

CIVIC

Taken By Force

Written by: PP on 18/05/2023 10:50:16

CIVIC has been turning heads internationally ever since the release of their debut album a couple of years ago. On their sophomore album "Taken By Force", the Melbourne-based Aussies are ready to take on the garage rock world with punk undertones and a twist of classic rock. One of their key draws is their ability to morph from expansive classic rock pieces into high-energy garage punk, which creates an interesting contrast between something like The Hives, The Police, and The Stooges to name but a few.

A song like "Taken By Force" has a classic rock vibe, here especially reminiscent of The Police riff-wise, only with fuzzy garage rock distortion applied to the guitars. On the other hand, songs like "Fly Song" are about fast-paced shredding and a buzzing atmosphere, whereas "Born In The Heat" takes you straight to a surfer's beach with a similarly dirty vocal distortion as The Bronx did on their masterpiece "IV" ten years ago.

These are almost always in direct contrast with post-punk and classic rock: "Trick Of The Light" is a great example where they draw from the former genre and inject its atmosphere into a straight-up classic rock song.

CIVIC are at their best when they let loose and shred away, relying on frills rhythms and a raging vocal display that feels irresistible. The classic rock bits, on the other hand, feel superfluous in comparison, more like background music and filler in between the raw rockers. It's a shame the album is inconsistent like this because otherwise, it'd have a chance for some of the top spots this year given how strong its best songs are.

Download: End Of The Line, Fly Song, Born In The Heat
For the fans of: The Hives, The Vines, The Police, The Stooges, The Saints
Listen: Facebook

Release date 10.02.2023
ATO Records