Hard rock from Canada: with Bummer, the band Cleopatrick is releasing their first-ever album on 4th June 2021. The album also comes with a funny way of promotion: their latest single release Family Van comes with an 8-bit style video game, which can be played online. I promise to review the music online rather than the game (which is a nice fun thing, but nothing too special).
Cleopatrick – About The Artists
Clepatrick are a Canadian hard rock duo. The members are Luke Gruntz and Ian Fraser, they come from Cobourg in Ontario, located East of Toronto right at Lake Ontario. They have been childhood friends since kindergarten age and decided to do music together in 2015. Their debut release was the 2016 EP 14, which they published in February 2016. Their second EP The Boys has been released in June 2018. It contained their most successful song so far, Hometown, which placed sixth in both, the US Mainstream Rock and the Canadian Rock Charts.
Cleopatrick – Bummer – Track by Track
The ten tracks of the album last 29 minutes.
1. Victoria Park
Victoria Park, the opener of the album, starts with nothing but distorted guitar sounds and drumming, before the vocals are joining as well. Very hard to describe the style in words: despite the song is a hard rocker, the mixing of the sound rather gives it an indie / alternative touch. A lot of sound at the beginning of the album.
2. The Drake
The next three songs of the album served as album appetizers to the Cleopatrick fans – and those who became fans due to the single releases. The second first member of this trio is The Drake gives a rather angry touch.
3. Family Van
I know you only fucked with me ’cause I’m alone
‘Cause I’m alone, yeah
But in the end you’ll always know you’re hollow, hollow
Family Van is a reaction song. The duo feels that a major rock band stole one of their songs. Rock music bashing on finest level – and with an extra portion of heavy bitterness.
4. Good Grief
Good grief, Lord, I believe
You’ve been pushing too hard for the wrong things
In my opinion, you and your vision is so unequivalent, man
Listen, oh god, just listen
You still don’t get it
After commenting on the song selection of other rock bands, Good Grief is addressed to the very high levels. I partially struggle to get the lyrics just due to the arrangement – something which is true in general, not just about this song. Sad… Would be cool to be able to follow their stories better.
5. No Sweat
Massive distortion is the musical concept of the song, which feels to become absolutely weird from its middle part to me. The song is about the struggle of growing up and finding your own moments. Cool lyrics – but overall, No Sweat is a bit too much studio wizardry to me.
6. Why July
Why July is slower and almost feels to be a bit of melancholic at first. The ending, however, is a massive musical flash of anger. To me, this turns into these kind of moments in which I can only hardly follow the music.
7. Ya
Ya is a 32 second intermission.
8. Peppers Ghost
I struggled with Why July – and, unfortunately, I am not that much into this eighth song of the album. After 1:20 minute, this review is the only reason why I don’t go for the skip. Bad luck, the way they combine hip hop styles with
9. 2008
A ballad? At least, 2008 feels to be one for the more emotional elements. But this is Cleopatrick, not Air Supply. There are some hints that these guys will not bear to stay on a quiet level. At least they try. And this leads to one of the best songs of the album.
10. Great Lakes
The album closes with Great Lakes. Nice groove and rhythm. The song has a touch of grunge as well.
Cleopatrick – Bummer – Spotify
Here is Bummer on Spotify:
Cleopatrick – Bummer – My View
The lyrics are good (if you get them), the instrumental quality is good. Cleopatrick sometimes remind me of Nirvana, sometimes of the Artic Monkeys. Bummer defines its own style, which is good. Unfortunately, too much of that feels to be turned down again in mixing, in distortion. I am sure that their fans will praise Bummer – but if you are new to the band, you will likely not give these Canadian a chance. It is a too tough challenge to do so.
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