Album Review: aCivilian – Invention
It’s always nice to hear something that sounds entirely fresh, and aCivilian, the creation of Norfolk’s Phil Critten, is just that. Though there’s a wide range of influences at play here, from the Cure to Rage Against The Machine, aCivilian has used them to shape, not create his sound. The end result is an album that’s totally unique; ‘Invention’ couldn’t have been a more apt title for this debut. Like a mad scientist on a roll, tune after tune spills out as things clang, bang and swirl in aCivilian’s musical laboratory. The music has a tendency to be a little bombastic and aggressive, but it’s played with almost manic fervour and enthusiasm. That said on first listen my reaction was less enthusiastic, more of a ‘meh’, but second time round it all fell into place and I found myself captivated by the entire album. ‘Invention’ spans a total of eleven equally great tracks, so thankfully I don’t have to pick out any highlights! What’s that? Oh hang on; my editor informs me that apparently I do. Highlights include ‘The Same Hands’, the song that Kaiser Chief Ricky Wilson has been trying to write all his life, ‘Call The Police’ and ‘These Friends’, purely for the awesome bass riff. 8/10
Mark Cousens
Out now on Hungry Audio/Shellshock
