Cassels - Epithet

***

Cassels let you know they have arrived 

Cassels are two brothers from the rolling countryside of the English Cotswolds, which stirs up images of birdsong, farmers and devious people running through fields of wheat. Though there is nothing tranquil about the sound of Cassels, this debut album hits you like a combine harvester going at fifty from the open track of ‘Coup’.

The following track ‘Let’ in fact does have a dose of English nostalgia in that it opens with Winston Churchill, but it soon gets back to it’s raucousness, with a spoken style singing style used by acts such as Art Brut in the past. While I don’t like just saying x is like y, this would certainly appeal to fans of Slaves and The Libertines with the punk ethic mixed with some clever lyrics and good tunes.

Released on  small label Big Scary Monster based in Oxford the whole sound has a full indie sound, with the mix kept quite raw rather than being over produced. ‘War is a really clever metaphor for Divorce’, a great name for a track, keeps the beats pounding and the sound unrelenting. ‘You turn on Utopia’ is a break in the rock sound, having a slightly more mild start with some cutting lyrics about the big business before breaking back in a sound fuelled finish.

‘Sepia good Times’ is almost a spoken word number with more of an edge of blues than punk, but I think all albums need a bit of variety. ‘This song has a name but we don't like to talk about It’ is back to volume up for those that prefer it, my only criticism is the loud ones do get a bit samey as the album goes on, I’m all for a bit of noise, but maybe with just the two of them it’s hard to add depth.

‘Motor Skills’ once again proves they do have that extra edge I personally would like to hear more of and does final track ‘Chewed up Cheeks’ where they explore the sound more. Overall I would say a promising debut album with a punk ethos from all the way through. As they move into future albums I hope they explore the sound more, while of course continuing to keep it full on at times too.

Review by Jon Cooper

Check Out! the Video for 'Coup' Below...