‘Life Below the Gun’ captures what it’s to be an artist (or only a human) in a world that’s seemingly out to get you at each flip
On Militarie Gun’s debut LP, Life Below the Gun, frontman Ian Shelton isn’t afraid to show his innermost fears and doubts into straight-up earworms. A protracted-time member of the hardcore scene — together with his rusty nail of a band Regional Justice Heart — the Seattle musician and his latest mission have taken all the pieces that’s uniquely cathartic in regards to the style and lacquered it with insanely catchy melodies, infinitely intelligent guitar riffs, and the form of call-and-response vitality that landed them a Taco Bell sync. That final element could be sufficient to steer a number of the extra strident members of the punk neighborhood to dismiss Life Below the Gun completely (Shelton’s oh-so memeable “ooh ooh” vocalization in all probability received’t assist both), however these people could be lacking out on an album that uniquely captures what it’s to be an artist (or only a human) in a world that’s seemingly out to get you at each flip.
Lead single “Do It Quicker” — which options Shelton’s aforementioned “ooh” in heavy provide and the form of snares that would reset your heartbeat — kicks your ass proper into the fray, as Shelton bemoans a form of pandemic-era morass of inactivity. The track’s refrain — “Waste my time/Waste my life/as I sit and await you” — leads right into a ultimate plea from Shelton to cease your moldering (and maybe his personal): “I don’t care what you do/simply do it sooner.”
Life Below the Gun ping-pongs between manic vitality and crushing emotional lows (encapsulated within the mournful habit track, “Very Excessive”). The album chronicles all-too-relatable woes about the price of residing — like within the simmering “Seizure of Property,” which sees Shelton seething on the “bloody bastard leeches” sucking his money away as quickly as he will get on his ft. After which there are ruminations on dangerous buddies with knives in hand who’re all too completely happy to maintain “standing on my neck” — a lyric that maybe calls again to Splendora’s theme track for MTV’s teen angst toon, Daria. After which there are the extra cerebral, almost-sweet moments, like “My Pals Are Having a Onerous Time,” a lilting monitor within the custom of the Jesus and Mary Chain that finds Shelton whole-heartedly proclaiming: “My buddies are having a tough time/Simply want it may change/I want I may I assist.”
You wouldn’t be wholly off-base if this file reminded you of snotty early Aughts radio fare — and Shelton in all probability wouldn’t be too pissed at you in the event you stated it to his face. That stated, Shelton’s lyrics are far more darkly relatable and heartbreaking than somebody caterwauling about being their very own worst enemy.
Nonetheless, there’s actually no predicting the place Militarie Gun’s sound will go subsequent over the course of the album. “Return Coverage” begins off with lumpy, nearly ugly guitars and livid vocals earlier than careening into probably the most radio-friendly refrain this aspect of Blink-182. “Massive Disappointment” is a extra straight-ahead hardcore monitor about being “hooked on rage” and, effectively, disappointment. “Assume Much less” blends gnashing vocals with a gliding sing-along refrain earlier than Shelton slightly heart-breakingly concludes: “Checklist of individuals I fucked over/Assume much less of me/And I agree.” “See You Round” ushers in a “Strawberry Fields”-level melody, whereas, on title monitor “Life Below the Gun,” Shelton completely shreds his voice within the service of a ultimate message: “A lifetime of pursuit finally ends up pursuing you.” Life Below the Gun could regularly style like sweet, however, ultimately, it’s a lollipop whittled right into a shiv.
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