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CityCop

Seasons EP

Written by: PP on 21/11/2012 22:28:32

Here's a release that caught my attention five seconds thanks to a quirky spoken-word opening lyric supported by a mathy acoustic guitar: "There's a bluebird in my heart that wants to get out but I'm too tough for him". It's an excerpt from the song "Bluebird", which is an interpretation of the Charles Bukowski poem with the same title, that brings into mind the aggressive spoken-word meets acoustic folk of imadethismistake's brilliantly smart "Bow & Quiver". It's a great start for an EP that's full of surprises by a band called CityCop out of Ohio, which they've self-dubbed as 'acoustic core' for its clever mixture of acoustic folk rock and post-hardcore on the same record.

The rest of the songs (unfortunately) don't follow in line with the opener's aggro vocals and unpredictable math rock acoustic melodies, and instead opt for playing basic post-hardcore with the notable exception that the electric guitar has been entirely replaced by an acoustic one. It's a different take on a tired genre, which is also why it's a successful one, because it brings innovation and creativity back into a place that's in dire need for it. The screaming is fairly standard, as is the drumming, so it's the technically advanced acoustic guitar that makes the release stand out from its contemporaries. It has been integrated seamlessly into the mix, however, so credit must be given where credit is due: I don't think I've ever heard post-hardcore (or screamo. Or whatever you want to call it.) played like this.

Download: Bluebird, Fall
For the fans of: imadethismistake, Stöj Snak, La Dispute, This Town Needs Guns
Listen: Facebook

Release date 17.12.2011
Flannel Gurl Records