Castevet - The Echo & The Light

Castevet are proof that there is still heart left in the punk genre. The result, of course, is a great album that proves that not everything has already been done with this style of music.

Castevet are proof that there is still heart left in the punk genre. This record is a band giving their all and asking nothing in return; just being pleased with the music they’re making. The result, of course, is a great album that proves that not everything has already been done with this style of music.

The guitar work is a real standout on all the tracks. Will McEvilly and Nick Wakim have established a dynamic where they can work well together to deliver strong and fresh guitar sounds. Rather than relying solely on power chords (a practice which has become all too common), they use jangly, tonal chords for most of the album. They also make refreshing use of clean guitar sounds, playing clean until the switch to distortion makes a huge impact; best evidenced on “Hiccups”. They frequently make use of spacious instrumental sections which add an atmospheric element we don’t usually hear on punk records. “Six Parts Summer” uses an ambient introduction that leads into some fierce punk rock lead guitar. The outro to “Hiccups” serves as a transition into the band’s heaviest effort “Lautrec”.

All members of the band are pulling their weight on this album. Drummer, Josh Snader, creates heavy rhythmic pulses that contrast greatly to the more common rhythms when they are used. Wakim’s vocals obviously take a huge influence from Chuck Ragan (of Hot Water Music) and, even though most of the time I can’t understand a word he says, they play a huge part in setting the tone of the album. At times musical and timing changes aren’t pulled off flawlessly but when they are it makes for great listening. “Bike Notes” is an example of everything working and is probably the finest track on the album. Jangly guitars, powerful drum pulses and musical contrasts all intertwine to compliment a soaring melody from Wakim.

This a band that’s obviously still growing but The Echo & The Light shows that they already have some fine ideas and are capable of delivering a more than solid album. This is a record that works; each song compliments the others and will have the most impact when heard together. A great album for anyone interested in some melodically and musically driven punk rock. 

(Tiny Engines)