Selfmademan hails out of Montreal, Quebec and brings to us their brand of punk rock. If you are looking for songs of teenage angst, unrequited love, or how bad school sucks then look somewhere else. This album is chock full of social and political commentary and challenges the listener to do more than just listen. Their musical influences are rooted in Hot Water Music, Jawbreaker; and a Face to Face influence is especially evident in the vocals. Some of the standout tracks on the album are 'Numbered Like A Calendar' and 'Quid Pro Quo' a song about having a voice and a conscience in today's society. Musically, they are tight. Lyrically, they are almost reminiscent of The Clash.
One thing that holds this album back however is its lack of hooks, which at times can make it out to be a monotonous listen. However, the band brings about a change of pace halfway through the album with 'When Everything's Dead We Come Alive', a stripped down acoustic song about the lack of family values. The production on the album at times is shaky and it especially shows in the vocals. On 'Listen Closely This Time' the vocals are almost impossible to hear over the guitars.
While this album offers very little in the context of originality, Selfmademan are good at what they do. I would just like to see them expand on their sound more.
2.5/4
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2003AnadivineAnadivine
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2002LimitpointWe Call This Life
1999WhippersnapperThe Long Walk
