Basement
Colourmeinkindness
Run For Cover Records (2012)
Score: 8/10
Basement’s announcement of an indefinite hiatus makes listening to Colourmeinkindness a bittersweet experience. But if this is the record that the Ipswich, UK band ends up going out on, I’ll be satisfied.
If you’re familiar with Basement’s prior two releases, CMIK mostly keeps to their template, but I did find myself banging my head to this more than is usual. In particular, the fiery pace and jagged little riffs of “Spoiled” show off the aggressive turn.
A favorite of mine is the sleepy, sugary sweet ballad “Breathe.” There is an unmistakable sincerity and longing throughout the bridge and I love the somber bass line, drowsy drum, and lonely little guitar licks.
Showing up halfway through the album, “Control” is CMIK’s black sheep for me. It’s got an odd vibe made up of stretched out vocals and a sporadic percussion section, and it just doesn’t seem to fit in with the rest of the record.
Thankfully, CMIK is quickly redeemed with “Comfort,” one of my favorite tunes of 2012. It begins with an ominous, yet melodic throwback style riff, then the drummer joins in to form a mellow, hopeful song. “Pick me up; put me on your shoulders. Sing to me, to help me get to sleep. The picture frame has seen far better days, but on the wall it’s going to stay.” At just over two minutes, this short song leaves quite an impression. The record closes out on an appropriately heavy-hearted note with the passionate, emphatic tempo of “Wish.”
Even if we don’t see much from Basement for a while, I’m really happy with what we got to see from them. They have a mellow sincerity that many bands wish to emulate. So if you’re kicking yourself for missing them on their last USA tour like I am, make sure you take some time and jam their songs at high volumes.
-Felipe Garcia
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