| CD Review - MCD - All Is Lost |
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| CD Album (Bivouac Recordings CAMP02CD) |
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| Review by JD 03 May 2007 |
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This CD took a long while to come (I believe it was recorded May 2006) but its been six years in the making. Not that it took that long to produce, its the time that MCD have been working together, finding themselves and creating their sound. But its well worth the wait. Rumours have it that there was some dispute with the original label that was to release it and then MCD themselves pulled out of the deal with Attack Ships On Fire records following the death of Callum Howell. So here it is, on the Bivouac label (perhaps fitting as they spent much of their formative years playing the venue).
Its a very attractive package (artwork by Mark Leary who has done the last two MCD offerings). Inside is a collage of images of Callum dating back from when his guitar was bigger than he was. I realise that Callum is mentioned a lot, but that is as it should be, the album is his legacy, its a moment in time of the talented guitarist's development and, as such, a fitting tribute to the man.
MCD wear their influences firmly on their sleeves, but without stealing from their heroes. Listen and you can hear The Freaks Union, Bouncing Souls, Strike Anywhere. But only in the vibe. MCD had developed a voice of their own, distinct and recognisable.
I think its fair to say that lyrically they were never as clever as some other bands, but a number of their almost pithy lyrics took on a poignancy following Callum's death. The almost trite, but now sobering and ominously prescient line "...can't face another day" and "hold your head up high, cos we'll be by your side, keep telling yourself that everythings gonna be just fine" must have given great comfort in those dark days in December. Listen without getting a lump in your throat.
So what of the songs? "Each To Their Own" opens the album in typically punk fashion; heavy chords, frantic drumming and a loud vocal intro. A lovely discordant riff shows Callum's knack for adding the unexpected, making it an intergral part of the song, without overdoing it. "All Is Lost" shows a growing comfort in the studio as they experiment with different sounds. Callum's backing vocals are so tuneful and compliment Matt's more shouty approach. The middle eight to "Fairytale" is a fine example of how their songwriting had developed; well worked dynamics and an ability to wander in and out of the main refrain. A trick that also works to great effect in "Goodbye For Now" where the first verse is sung in an almost child sing-along fashion.
"Four Walls", one of the older tunes on the album, is hard hitting and harbours one of the few out and out solos on the CD. Its understated, and works perfectly. "Can't Find A Way" further ties down their style, some chunky chords in there, but not at the expense of one liner riffs. A vocal "rap" breaks the tack down before the guitar explodes over the bass and drums . "Time So Different" is a hangover from years back, and was perhaps the first indication of how MCD were to develop; its certainly not out of place here. A crowd favourite, its almost got thet feel that it was written deliberately as a crowd pleaser.
"Hope For Better Days" again shows off Callum's backing vocals and the irony in the line "this isn't what we planned for, we hope for better days" almost brings tears to the eyes. "High & Mighty" is a storming song, bordering on metal, particularly in the sludgy, monstrously heavy middle eight. "Heads Held High" would surely have become their anthem. Its a homage to friendship and promises of being there for each other. It works well here on the album, but its primarily a "live song", needing audience participation to show off its inherent "good time" vibe.
"Goodbye For Now" is the perfect album closer. A tune upbeat in its delivery but bleak and dark in content, as are a number of the tunes. MCD were not political, they were not full of clever posturing. What they were good at was capturing the essence of disaffected youth, of the struggle between the teen years and the growing responsibilities of young adulthood, but doing so in a way that their peers could understand.
This is a fine album and the great shame is that it will not be toured. With this album under their belt and a comprehensive tour, MCD could have (and should have) gone on to greater things. As it is, treasure it. A band in fine form, a songwriter of some distinction, well crafted and played tunes. Not a filler in sight.
At some point in the near future I am going to have to take the CD out of the player, listen to something else, but for now, I can reflect on what was and what could have been.
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This page was last updated Monday, 11 January 2010
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