Antillectual – Start from Scratch

If you look directly above this, you’ll see that I put Square of Opposition Records as the record label releasing Antillectual’s third full length album, Start From Scratch. That is, however, a shortcut as there are actually a total of ten different record labels releasing the record throughout Europe with Square of Opposition Records handling the US release. That’s eleven record labels putting money behind the release, promoting it and given it their go ahead.  Most bands have a hard time convincing one label to back them, but Antillectual got eleven; and it makes sense, because Start From Scratch  is pretty damn good.

The Dutch three piece delivers fast, technically proficient melodic hardcore music – with a stronger emphasis on the later than the former. This is smart, political punk that would make Propagandhi proud; and the fact that Chris Hannah sings on Cut The Ground From Under Our Feet (a scathing attack on the mass commercialisation of underground music and sports) indicates that Propagandhi probably approves of the comparison.

There are moments of Strung Out shreddery (see Every Crisis Is A Moral Crisis ‘ epic solo in the bridge)  while others tone the guitar work down and go for the more finger pointed sing-alongs ala Strike Anywhere. There are melodic moments (Chinese Takeover and The New Jew) that resemble Belvedere or This Is A Standoff and they’re not afraid to completely reel it in for softer acoustic number either as they do with So Much More.  Of course, that’s an anomaly in the mix that normally focuses on faster tunes with solid drumming, skate-punk guitar work and versatile vocals that goes from a melodic, near Anti-Flag delivery (Our Hearts) to a rough and worn, Thomas Barnett anthem.

Lyrically, the band tackles a wide variety of political topics but contain it to a “Think Globally, Act Locally” mentality. This ensures that the lyrics are more personal and immediate as they speak about a change that they can actually take part in and implement rather than some far reaching ideal that, while important, may be too big to tackle from basement shows.

As it is, anyone in search of a solid political punk album need look no further than Start From Scratch.