What are we talking about?
The new EP by Upcdownc (formerly Up-C Down-C Left-C Right-C ABC + Start) from Kent in the United Kingdom. They sport a freshly trimmed lineup and name, with just Chris Garth, James Bridges, and Dale Forster credited. This record takes a different approach to the songwriting of Up-C yore, and is an interesting listen that appears deeper after each listen.
Summary
On the surface, this record feels like it could be one of the classic, influential albums that preceded the genre of stoner rock or sludge rock, which is not to say that it’s plain or unimaginative, but rather, that it sticks quite firmly to the tenets of the style. Upcdownc doesn’t try anything too fancy, but reliably gets the job done. This release is your Paul Scholes of modern rock music (dependable, modest, and decisive, for those who don’t follow Premier League football).
The slightly sludgy, bassy guitar tone is something that’s always been present in Upcdownc’s music, particularly in Black Sea. Here that sound really takes the foreground, causing their post-rock sensibilities take a back seat, and emerge throughout the record in refreshing ways I’ve not heard before. Take the first 2 minutes of Slobberknocker for example. A track which, on first listen, is every bit the rough and ready fist fight the title informs, but on closer inspection Slobberknocker spends more time playing with dynamics and melody, in a typical post-rock fashion, than it does Slobberknockin’.
What Hooked Me?
A post-rock stalwart trying something different and pulling it off convincingly.
Key Component
The dissonant last few minutes of Black Dracula, in which there is a haunting sample, lifted from a film I don’t know, played against overdriven static that fades away to a dulcet melody. After a diet of Godspeed You! Black Emperor and post-rock growing up, I’ve got a soft spot for these types of spoken word samples.
Artwork
It’s an eye, removed, on a blue background. It’s minimal, stripped-back compared with earlier covers. Mirrors a lot of what this record is about.
Line From The Band
The E.P was born out of the Horror soundtrack "Faster Than Evil" that we had previously released and was also our first recordings since becoming a 3 piece. We wanted to do something Heavy and Sludgy but also quite sinister. Mainly to prove we could be just as loud and foreboding with only 3 people. The E.P itself is to be part of a 3 part series which will then go together to make one volume of work.
Vital Info
Released on September 11th via Skingasm Records, it is their first release since their recent line up change, so there is due cause for excitement.
UpCDownC will be celebrating the 10 year anniversary of their debut album ‘And The Battle Is Won’, they will be playing the following shows
JT Soar, Nottingham, October 30th
Maguires Pizza Bar, Liverpool, November 21st
Reviewer Profile
Thomas Stephens is a guest writer for YB!HQ. He runs Turn That Racket Down, a music blog celebrating unsigned and/or local bands.
Thomas lives in Devon and he supports Leicester City (come on you blues!).
The new EP by Upcdownc (formerly Up-C Down-C Left-C Right-C ABC + Start) from Kent in the United Kingdom. They sport a freshly trimmed lineup and name, with just Chris Garth, James Bridges, and Dale Forster credited. This record takes a different approach to the songwriting of Up-C yore, and is an interesting listen that appears deeper after each listen.
Summary
On the surface, this record feels like it could be one of the classic, influential albums that preceded the genre of stoner rock or sludge rock, which is not to say that it’s plain or unimaginative, but rather, that it sticks quite firmly to the tenets of the style. Upcdownc doesn’t try anything too fancy, but reliably gets the job done. This release is your Paul Scholes of modern rock music (dependable, modest, and decisive, for those who don’t follow Premier League football).
The slightly sludgy, bassy guitar tone is something that’s always been present in Upcdownc’s music, particularly in Black Sea. Here that sound really takes the foreground, causing their post-rock sensibilities take a back seat, and emerge throughout the record in refreshing ways I’ve not heard before. Take the first 2 minutes of Slobberknocker for example. A track which, on first listen, is every bit the rough and ready fist fight the title informs, but on closer inspection Slobberknocker spends more time playing with dynamics and melody, in a typical post-rock fashion, than it does Slobberknockin’.
What Hooked Me?
A post-rock stalwart trying something different and pulling it off convincingly.
Key Component
The dissonant last few minutes of Black Dracula, in which there is a haunting sample, lifted from a film I don’t know, played against overdriven static that fades away to a dulcet melody. After a diet of Godspeed You! Black Emperor and post-rock growing up, I’ve got a soft spot for these types of spoken word samples.
Artwork
It’s an eye, removed, on a blue background. It’s minimal, stripped-back compared with earlier covers. Mirrors a lot of what this record is about.
Line From The Band
The E.P was born out of the Horror soundtrack "Faster Than Evil" that we had previously released and was also our first recordings since becoming a 3 piece. We wanted to do something Heavy and Sludgy but also quite sinister. Mainly to prove we could be just as loud and foreboding with only 3 people. The E.P itself is to be part of a 3 part series which will then go together to make one volume of work.
Vital Info
Released on September 11th via Skingasm Records, it is their first release since their recent line up change, so there is due cause for excitement.
UpCDownC will be celebrating the 10 year anniversary of their debut album ‘And The Battle Is Won’, they will be playing the following shows
JT Soar, Nottingham, October 30th
Maguires Pizza Bar, Liverpool, November 21st
Reviewer Profile
Thomas Stephens is a guest writer for YB!HQ. He runs Turn That Racket Down, a music blog celebrating unsigned and/or local bands.
Thomas lives in Devon and he supports Leicester City (come on you blues!).