SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (SHO - Holy Shit)
This comes in a fetching gatefold sleeve with an illustration of an annimal being skinned ready for the furtrade(hence the album title), and inside we have numerous gig photos which make me long for them to come over here again cos i missed'em last time! Anyway, if you don't know these yet, they hail from Belgium and play music that owes it's soul to the early U.S. Hardcore scene. You can hear clear influences from such greats as Dead Kennedys(including a jazz intro), Jerry's Kids and MDC. Lyrics deal with riots in Belgium, self harming, the passion for the scene and wanting to be shane MacGowan for a day! For a more modern today comparison, they do remind me of Amdi Petersons Arme and a little Brezhnev. There doesn't seem as many stand out songs as on their 'Say something'LP but there are still great memorable ones such as 'Gore's world' and 'I hate autority'. One thing I would say is for the music they play that one ingredient that's missing for me is they don't have the feeling of anger of the bands that they're trying to emulate, cos obviously was then and this is now. there's nowt they can do about that tought so as an album in it's own right, I'd say it's a damn good melodic hardcore album.
(Andy) Bald Cactus-fanzine(juni-2008)
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (RocknRoll Radio)
This 4 piece band from Belgium crank out 16 tracks of pissed off Punkrock/Hardcore in just over 19 minutes on this 2006 release. The vocals are very clear and easy to understand. Musically they bring to mind MDC, CIRCLE JERKS, the OFFENDERS and even a bit of the DEAD KENNEDYS. Not bad in my fucking book, how about yours?
PROFANE EXISTANCE No 57 USA
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (RocknRoll Radio)
This is the second full length from SUNPOWER. They blast out another 16 tracks in just under 22 minutes on this disc. This sounds very much like the other cd I reviewed for this issue that you shouldsee right above or right below the review you are reading at this very moment. This has East Bay Ray and Jello Biafra from the DEAD KENNEDYS stamped all over it, though the vocalist doesn't sound TOO MUCH like Jello.... something about what he does on a few songs bring Mr. Biafra to mind instantly. Maybe it's the snotty attitude? Whatever the case, I like this release and i think a lot of you fucks out there will too.
Ken Ciderpunk
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (RocknRoll Radio)
Krasse stimme hat der gute sanger Mike hier. errinnert mich die ersten paar songs so richtig an den guten alten Jello Biafra. Dazu passt auch der furiose, schnelle, angepisste Old-School Ami-HC. So bekommt man in aller kurze 16 titel um die ohren gehauen. Von den texten her konnten die Brusseler auch eine x-beliebige punkband sein. Doch bei 'Shane McGowan' wird dann schon klar, woher der wind weht. Also das man Seine Swachstelle eher bei Markenklamotten hat, den bei Alkohol und Zigaretten. Nun wie so oft bei Old School HC, gute mucke von auf den ersten blick, puristen, die sich weisheit loffelweise einschieben. Da ist mir das cover, das als statement gegen die Pelzindustrie gilt wessenlich sympatischer.
Bocky - PUNKROCK FANZINE No6 Sommer' 08 Germany
www.punkroc-fanzine.de
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (RocknRoll Radio)
Zo gauw je de tweede plaat van deze Belgen aanzet, gaat er een belletje rinkelen. Dit klinkt verdomd veel als de Dead Kennedys. Niet alleen qua zang, maar ook de muziek vertoont veel gelijkenis met de oude punks. Bedoeld of onbedoeld, het mag in ieder geval opgevat worden als compliment. Deze gasten leveren een plaat vol kritiek, maatschappelijke reflectie en zestien retestrakke nummers. Uit de goede teksten blijkt dat de band weet wat er speelt in de wereld. De huidige maatschappij vraagt om weerstand en Sunpower spuugt dat maar al te graag in je gezicht. Met hun zelfgenaamde 'Bullshit era Hardcore' zijn ze net terug van een tour in de VS. het lijkt erop dat er eindelijk weer een oprecht goede punkband van zich laat horen. Hard en snel, zo hoort het.
(Rob van Kaam-Up Magazine)
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (RocknRoll Radio)
SUNPOWER "Pain For Profit" CD Rock n Roll Radio
Wow, this is great, great like US punk rock from the late '70s/early '80s; 16 tracks of snotty, brash and totally exciting punk rock; nice trebley guitar too. I was instantly reminded of the first Dead Kennedys album, then the first Circle Jerks album, that's the sort of sound we're talking about here, and it can't be a bad thing when a new album reminds you of great records you still remember being so excited about almost 30 years after the fact. If you want a more current comparison, these Belgians stand alongside Cloak/Dagger and Regulations in the way they've captured that certain style and sound, and managed to deliver the same energy and drive. High praise indeed, but then if punk rock is meant to deliver and instant hit of adrenaline, then these guys have it spot on.
(Tony)
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (RocknRoll Radio)
Pain For Profit is Sunpower's second full-length on both vinyl and cd. The Vinyl version is available through Still Holding On and Holy Shit Records. 'Pain For Profit' is just as 'Say Something' a display of what they do best. It's another round of short, fast and furious hardcore/punk songs, as we know it from bands as Minor Threat, Spermbirds and Dead Kennedys. To be honest Sunpower is my most favourite Belgium hardcore/punk band around. Mostly because of the in irony and sarcasm soaked lyrics (I don't mind to call them the Belgium answer to Good Clean Fun) but certainly because of their down to earth
personality. Whether it are personal events, politics (Belgium's Burning), animal abuse (Pain For Profit) or their hate for authority that have an effect on the boys, Sunpower always express their feelings in their quite unique way. If you liked the previous album 'Say Something' you definitely will like this one to. 9.5/10.
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (Still Holding On records)
Anno 2008 blijkt h�t Europese antwoord op Circle Jerks, MDC en Dead Kennedys uit Belgenland te komen! Natuurlijk lees je dit soort vergelijkingen te pas en te onpas, maar zou ik durven liegen tegen jullie lieve lezertjes hier op punx.nl? TUURLIJK WEL!! Maar in dit geval doe ik dat zeker niet!
Als je de full length van Gewapend Beton tof vond zul je hier ook zeker wel mee uit de voeten kunnen. Het zijn uiteraard twee verschillende bands, maar wat mij betreft zijn ze van gelijk niveau.
En mocht je na aanschaf van Pain for Profit nog geld overhebben zou je er goed aan doen om meteen de Say Something LP te scoren. Ik heb overigens van horen zeggen dat de drie 7�s al een tijdje uitverkocht zijn dus mocht je die ergens tegenkomen zou ik er niet al te lang stil bij blijven staan, want al het materiaal is meer dan de moeite waard.
Score: 90/100
Punx.nl
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (SxHxO)
Belgium�s pride and joy Sunpower has been taking the scene by storm since 2002. It took a while before this Dutch cheesehead got to know the band, but ever since the mighty Say Something LP came out I�ve been down with these dudes like Corky from Life Goes On. Why? Mainly �cause Sunpower bring that kind of punkrock that is tailor-made for those who enjoyed the genre in the 70s and 80s, and have grown weary of what hardcorepunk has become since. I guess I�m one of those nostalgic stupid fuckin' bastards and that�s why I genuinely fell in love with this band and with the whole revival thing that's been going on for a while in hardcoreville on the European mainland. For the record: Fuck metalcore, fuck false metal bullshit, fuck homophobic gymnasts, fuck all them retarded meatheads, fuck fashion, fuck apathetic losers and fuck all that blablabla!! Alrighty! That�ll set the right fuckin� mood for a record like this now doesn�t it?
Eighteen tracks that are rooted in elemental punkrock songwriting and musicianship. So politics, fast guitars, aggression, simple chord progression, fast as fuck and straightforward beats. All done flawless, by the way! The vocals are of the half shouted, half sung kinda Jello Biafra variety and at times display a rough sort of melodiousness which for some reason make me wanna fuck some chick in the ass. I know� Its weird, but this record wants me to fuck some chick in the ass. Seriously. (I guess I need some serious help, but first I�ll finish this review)
Sunpower aren't trying to move punkrock forward nor backward, but it is easily knowledgeable that these guys enjoy bands like MDC, Minor Threat and Dead Kennedys. So the band scours the genre's old annals to find sounds that work for �em, and present them in a loving and knowing manner which any good old school HC or punkrock kid can enjoy. There are nods to 70s British punkrock, but its mainly the frenetic hardcorepunk of the Dead Kennedys that is felt during this twenty minutes (and a bit) funhouse.
Pain For Profit is one of those albums that gives the kids a proper face-shredding experience and as long as they keep pedal to the metal or even when they bring alittle swagger in their sound this is nothing less than a fuckin� European masterpiece! Seriously; If you appreciate the craftsmanship it takes to make fast punkrock ya�ll will love Sunpower!
(I know this is not a dating site, but if any of you girls out there wanna have some buttsex like Jesus forbade us while spinning this record just call me!
My standards are lower than the ones your crackwhore mom has! Only difference is you won't get any STD's from me... Now where's that number of that shrink again?)
Rated: 4,5/5
Best Song: Killed By Death
- Marnix for www.europunk.net -
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (ROCKNROLLRADIO/SONIC RENDEZVOUS)
Als Sunpower het Opwijkse antwoord is op Dead Kennedys, dan vervult zanger Mike de rol van Jello Biafra. Zijn maatschappelijke betrokkenheid (Gore�s World), aversie tegen gezag (I Hate Authority) en interesse voor lokale politiek (Belgium�s Burning) zorgen voor een eerste vergelijking. Echt tekenend is de overeenkomst in stemgeluid. Alleen de Frans/Nederlandse verwijzingen naar Brussel in BXHell en het vette accent geven blijk van zijn Belgische roots. Door de verhalende zingtrant, stemtrillingen en toonkrommingen aan het einde van zinnen ligt een associatie met het Amerikaanse punkicoon voor de hand. Bovendien werkt de muziek van Sunpower de gelijkenis in de hand. Toch sluiten de snelle punksongs met hun korte speelduur, eenvoudige opbouw en schelle gitaarsound net zo goed aan op MDC, 7 Seconds en Spermbirds. Oprechte hardcorepunk dus, met een gezonde hoeveelheid authenticiteit. WOUTER DIELESEN (Oor magzine editie mei) www.oor.nl
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (ROCKNROLLRADIO/SONIC RENDEZVOUS)
Ach du heilige Schei�e, was ist DAS denn f�r ein Kracher! Irgendwie mu� ich nicht aufgepasst haben, als es um diese Band ging, bzw. ich gestehe ehrlich ein, das ich diese Band zuvor noch nie geh�rt habe. Und nun das hier...schon gleich mit dem ersten Song hat es mich ganz kalt erwischt. Aus Belgien stammen SUNPOWER und sie sind meiner Meinung nach eine der hei�esten neuen Bands, die ich in den letzten Monaten zu h�ren bekommen habe. Immerhin haben sie bereits 3 Singles als auch eine CD/LP heraus gebracht - ist aber leider an mir vorbei gegangen. DEADSTOP aus unserem Nachbarl�ndle gibt es ja nicht mehr, und es scheint mir, als k�nnten SUNPOWER diese enorme L�cke schlie�en. Der Sound dieser Band h�rt sich sehr nach altem 80er Jahre Ami-Punk an, wobei sich der S�nger ein bi�chen wie Jello Biafra herumwindet, w�hrend sich die Instrumentierung nach einem Mix aus ANGRY SAMOANS, TSOL und anderen Bands aus Los Angeles anh�rt. Insgesamt eine absolut pralle und geile CD von einer verdammt guten neuen Band! - Helge PLASTIC BOMB Fanzine -
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (Holy Shit!/Still Holding On, LP)
Ah, the LP with the gatefold cover�how I love them, even with the depressing drawing of an animal about to be murdered so the woman on the back can wrap its fur around her neck. Sunpower are from Belgium but are clearly influenced by US punk and hardcore. �BXHell,� for instance, has surfy guitar ala the Dead Kennedy and.Mike Meat�s vocals sound like a cross between Jello and Willy from Young Wasteners. Once in awhile, there will be a change-up, such as the jazzier rhythm for �Gore�s World.� Most of the time, though, they play at a faster speed and songs are short and catchy. And add �Stuck Inside The Midlife Crisis� to the ever growing library of �getting older in the scene� odes. I don�t necessarily �wish I was a teen again,� like Mike sings, but also have similar feelings of ambivalence. But fuck it� do what you want and look at this as a musical fountain of youth. - Al Quint, http://subvox.blogspot.com/ -
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (ROCKNROLLRADIO/SONIC RENDEZVOUS)
All rigthy baby, Belgium's Sunpower is back with their second full-length! I know, it's b��n a couple of months since the album's release, but family and personal problems at the house of the guy who's normally in contact with us for the label's promotions have prevented him to get us a promo copy until May 1 st , so...
For a really extensive history-of-the-band, check out the review done (by yours truly) of their debut full-length, posted 29/05/2006, and for an update, check out the text underneath! First of all, a little correction: the band did n�t get a new drummer...in fact Davy and Keith Mon are one and the same person, the name being derived from Mon being Davy 's nickname from his days in Die My Demon , and Keith Moon from The Who being his favourite drummer.
Sunpower backed up the release of Sunpower by a series of gigs, which also took 'em back to the UK (with Shredder and Prijsduifkes ) for a brief spurt of shows. Two guys in the band having wives and children kinda takes the fun out of big ass tours, see, but all in all the guys managed to play a good 17 shows (which would see the guys playing alongside acts like Ulrikes Dre am (at Leuven's Boycot MarktRock ), Reproach , Prijsduifkes , Lunatic Society , The Rats (It), SL27 , Shredder , The Despised (US), Sick Terror (Brazil), Send More Paramedics (UK), and Janez Deth during the rest of the year), as well as playing the Ieperfest at the end of the Summer. A special show was played on halloween 2006 at Aalst 's Negasonic , where Sunpower played a set of The Misfits songs, their support band on that evening, Cash Reloaded , bringing an acoustic set of songs by "The Man In Black". Late 2006, the band is asked to join Negative Approach on stage at Hof ter Loo for their only European show on May 12 th , a request easily enough accepted by the crazy quartet, even if Mike was expected to become a father again around March or April, the band taking out time to allow him to do his first fatherly duties.
The band returns to the live front on April 30 th , doing two shows the same day! From now on shows are a rare comodity, the band also taking out time to write new songs for upcoming recordings for their sophomore album. Around early June, some 12 new songs had been completed. Meanwhile, the band still did their 2-3 gigs per month, even stepped into the van for a longer trip to France (Lille) and Holland (Hoogeveen's Trashfest and an additional gig in Nijmegen), not forgetting to do the couple of important gigs on the homefront (Opwijk's Loco Loco festival saw them share the stage with the likes of Spermbirds , Usual Suspects , The Spanks , and more; Gent's Gentse Feesten @ Frontline doing the same with Dirty Scum and Capital Scum ). September 2007 brings news of the release of a Spermbirds tribute 7"EP on Peter Bower Records , to which Sunpower contributed their version of "My God Rides A Skateboard" (recorded during the sessions for Sunpower , during which additional cover songs from Bad Brains , Circle Jerks , Minor Threat , 7 Seconds , and an old Sunpower classic were also taken down). Other contributors to that tribute were Lowlife UK , TV Party , Swellbellys , Bickles Cab , and B.S.D. . Prior to going into the studio in November, the band still does a couple of gigs, the most "important" being those where they support The Despised (US) and Feeding Tim e (Aus) in Amsterdam, and No Redeeming Social Value (US) at Leuven's Kraakpand . In 3 days, the band records and mixes a total of 17 songs, one of which was to be released in early 2008 on a Belgian compilation 7-inch EP (released through Deviant Records ) titled Belgium's Burning , also including songs by A Den Of Robbers , Damaged Goods , Furious , Ravaged , Reproach , Shredder , Tod Pole , Vogue , and Vuur . Sunpower managed to put in some extra gigs, the most significant being on Dec. 7 th in support of the closing Lintfabriek .
2008 starts gloriously enough with the release party of Belgium's Burning at Aalst's Negasonic , the only bands not there that night being Tod Pole and Vogue . February 22 nd , the guys feast again, this time for the release of their new album, and in their hometown Opwijk. Late March (22 to 31), Sunpower went on a US tour, playing a total of 11 shows in the North-Western part of the States...a tour which was a total success (if you're interested, drummer Davy put down his experiences in a tour report which can be checked at mashnote.net/index2.php?page=1&type=column&id=87).
Tim e to turn over to the new album which, like the debut, contains 16 songs. Still, where the debut only lasted a good 19 minutes, Pain For Profit now lasts a stunning 21:50!!! Hahah, let's see the fun in things, eh? Musically, the band is slightly more versatile, allowing for some deviations from the full-throttle pace on the debut. And, you know, it amazes me more and more how the combination of only slightly distorted guitar, the singer's vocals, and the band's stubborn-minded intent to play early '80s US Hardcore Punk, make me wanna shout out the injustice done to these musicians for being born Belgians! Because as we all know, it is virtually impossible for a Belgian musician to live off his/ her music...if (s)he doesn't sell his(her) soul to one of the major labels (who never stay true to their artists for long enough to to allow 'em to profit from their music's revenues as well...providing of course they give the artists a deal which is interesting enough to more that just the label)! Goodness me, how singer Mike reminds me of Jello Biafra 's (vocal) antics, I can't tell you! But hey, you can check that out for yourself, as you might surf to myspace.com/sunpower right now, to find the four first tracks of the new album posted alongside two of the debut. Be sure to check out the posted video (I guess it's recorded at the Ieperfest of last year to witness the frenzy at a Sunpower gig.
If you're wondering about the artwork of the CD, know that Sunpower members are vegetarians, and strongly opposed against unnecessary cruelty against animals. It's bad enough that animals have to die to be worked into some garment, but skinning 'em alive to allow the fur to better retain it's gloss? Y�k!!! Ehrmm...I didn't even know people did that, could indeed be s�...cruel! And I'm sure fur most fur wearing ladies (and men) usually never though about such possible atrocities either! But Animal Rights ain't the only thing the singer rants on about, in fact he sings about several things he hates and loves, and also brings a beautiful ode to our country's capital city.
Anyways, this is about the band's music too! And I h�ve to say I cannot let this one go without giving it an absolute top rating, and in spite of my amount of nominations to the "Best Albums Of 2008"-list, a top rating is still a rare commodity!!! Let it be known that, in spite of the fact that Rock 'n' Roll Radio has provided me with a free copy of the CD, I'm still buying one of the vinyl versions of the album (for the interested, there's 700 copies with the regular cover art, 100 pre-order copies with different artwork, and an additional 100 copies with a special release cover � but the latter were probabaly completely sold out during the release gig). 100/100 - concreteweb.de by Tony -
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT ((Holy Shit!/Still Holding On, LP)
SUNPOWER !!!...haaaa voil� un groupe qui au long des ann�es est rest� fid�le � lui m�me, � son propre son, son style. Vous ne connaissez pas encore SUNPOWER ? Il est temps de rattraper cela car le groupe est une r�f�rence dans son genre, en Belgique comme ailleurs je pense.
J'avais souvenir d'un SUNPOWER tr�s proche de r�f�rences tels que MINOR THREAT et autres vieilleries hardcore oh combien agr�ables. Mais il est vrais que j'avais un peu perdu le fil des activit�s du groupe...Et l� apr�s leur concert � La Zone (Li�ge, avril 2008), je me suis repris un claque, et j'ai rechut� (je l'avoue!) dans le fastcore bon et bien comme il faut hehehe!
Avec le temps SUNPOWER a vari� son panel, tout en restant dans le hardcore bon, rapide, basique, et p�chu tout en ajoutant des m�lodies ici et l�, et un chant qui rappelle par instant in�vitablement les excellents DEAD KENNEDYS . Du coup SUNPOWER , avec la maturit� du groupe, a r�ussi � m�langer un tas d'influences anciennes en un merveilleux "melting pot" qui se situe quelque part dans les ann�es 80 entre MINOR THREAT , et DEAD KENNEDYS . Xavier de Still Holding On Records qui a co-produit cet album avec Holy Shit! Records, y voit �galement d'autres influences des 80's comme MDC et BAD BRAINS . En gros un tas d'influences que les membres ont pu dig�r�s et ext�rioriser. Pour des gars comme Mike (le chanteur) rien de plus naturel que ce genre de musique, pour lui qui a vu en live un tas de groupes l�gendaires des 80's.
Niveau des textes, j'adore. Le verbe anglais revendicateurs, voir plein d'humour, ou encore rageur nous emm�ne sur des th�matiques comme l'autorit�, le trafic d'organes, le profit � tout va, la g�n�ration de l'ennui, etc. Notez que le titre de l'album nous y pr�parait : "pain for profit"!
L'album est donc sorti en LP sur deux labels belges : Still Holding On Records et Holy Shit! Records. Il existe une version limit�e avec une cover particuli�re dessin�e par Ken Terr�r, avec le dessin qui sert pour les t-shirt actuel du groupe! L'artwork normal est celui de l'image ici pr�sente, et le tout est empaquet� dans un LP gatefold (�a fait presque "deluxe edition" hehehe).
Bon allez, on termine en un mot : indispensable!!
PS : la version CD est sortie sur Rock'n Roll Radio (www.rocknrollradio.org )
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (ROCKNROLLRADIO/SONIC RENDEZVOUS)
After releasing a few 7�s, this is the first Sunpower-CD. It collects 16 tracks and lasts just over 19 minutes. I always thought that by far the best way to describe Sunpower is: a melodic but spicy/energetic mix of Dead Kennedys and Minor Threat. And they do it so well that I have to state that this is a great release. Singalong hardcorepunk with a distinct 80�s guitarsound, vocals that sometimes remind me of straightforward Jello Biafra and all the songs you need to get a good clean moshpit going. And in the first place: very catchy stuff. The lyrics to the songs address a wide range of typical punk-topics, and somewhat remind me of bands like old Spermbirds. Political and personal contents, a nice amount of irony and sarcasm and getting to the point right away - typical ingredients of Sunpower-lyrics. Reading through the lyrics is a total must if you want to fully enjoy a Sunpower-show. Really - how else are you gonna shout along with the rest of the crowd? This release holds and deserves the labels �DIY� and �hardcorepunk� - the way it was meant to be. Cool band, cool people, none of that rockstar-crap. If you like your punkrock hot & spicy, political and melodic - this is it . MTV knows shit. (stef) - Day one collective -
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (ROCKNROLLRADIO/SONIC RENDEZVOUS)
Oh nein! Es ist 1980! Ich bin schon wieder in der Zeit zur�ckgereist! Ach nein, ist doch nur die neue SUNPOWER-Platte.
Mit "Pain For Profit" kn�pfen SUNPOWER nahtlos an ihr 2006er Deb�talbum "Say Something" an. Allerdings haben die vier Belgier beim Songwriting und der Produktion eine ordentliche Schippe draufgelegt. Geblieben ist das stark fr�h-80er-beeinflusste Gebr�u aus schn�rkellosem Hardcore und schnellem, rock'n'rolligem Punk, das man am besten als eine Mischung aus Black Flag, Minor Threat und den Dead Kennedys beschreiben kann. Vor allem die Stimme von S�nger Mike erinnert mit diesem unterschwelligen Vibrato mehr als einmal an Jello Biafra.
Die Gefahr, dass beim H�ren von "Pain For Profit" mit 16 Songs und einer Spielzeit von etwas �ber 20 Minuten so etwas wie Langeweile aufkommt, besteht eigentlich nicht. Um dem aber trotzdem entgegenzuwirken, werfen SUNPOWER hier und da ein paar f�r Abwechslung sorgende Elemente hinzu, wie etwa die surfigen Gitarren bei "BXHeLL", einem Lied �ber ihre Heimatstadt Br�ssel, oder dem leicht jazzig angehauchten Beginn von "Gore's World".
Textlich wandeln SUNPOWER zwar auf den durchaus schon beschrittenen Pfaden, die Pers�nliches, Politik und die "Szene" verbinden, vermeiden es dabei aber trotz der recht direkten Texte, durch den Verzicht auf Phrasengedresche und Standardversatzst�cke, in die ausgelatschten Klischeepf�tzen zu treten.
Alles in allem bekommt man auf "Pain For Profit" nichts zu h�ren, was es nicht schon vor 25 Jahren gegeben h�tte aber die Platte macht einfach Spa� und das ist es doch, was man will.
-Eingetragen von Micha am 07.05.2008-
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (Holy Shit rcds)
From Belgium, this band plays a style that is totally early-80's
California punk. They've got the speed of CIRCLE JERKS
fused with the rocking, surf guitar sound of DEAD KENNEDYS.
There are some pretty clich� punk lyrics however. With songs like
"Bored Generation" and "Gonna Cut Myselfd" it"s as if they
sampled from the ADOLESCENTS lyric insert. Besides that, this is definitely worth checking out. (PL) - (Maximum Rock n roll) -
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (Holy Shit rcds)
Sunpower is ��n van die Belgische bands die hun muziek willen spelen zoals de groepen die tien jaar geleden succes hadden. Sommigen hebben hun muziek liever moderner, maar voor deze stijl zal er altijd een publiek blijven. Hun old-school punk met hier en daar wat hardcore-invloeden gaat rechtdoor en klinkt op geen enkel moment langdradig. Toch hadden onze landgenoten soms minder voor de gemakkelijke oplossing moeten kiezen, waardoor het allemaal wat interessanter zou geklonken hebben. (PM) ZILVER (5/7) - mindview magazine -
SUNPOWER
PAIN FOR PROFIT (rrr)
�Pain For Profit� is Sunpower�s second record, on which they show what they do best. Sixteen songs in 22 minutes, short and fast: the way punk should be. Remember bands like Dead Kennedys or MDC and then imagine them coming from Belgium nowadays. Although these guys have been going strong since 2002, it was only after �Say Something� that they got to play some more shows over here.
But back to the record. If you�ve got their previous record, you know what to expect. Simple chords, fast guitars, half-sung vocals and everything really straightforward what makes it catchy-as-fuck. That�s also the weakest point of the record, you can�t notice much progress compared to the last record. It�s all kind of the same, but that also means that if you liked that, you�ll also like this record. I also have the problem that although I like the songs, there is not enough variety in the sixteen songs what makes me lose my concentration near the end.
That Sunpower has something to say already becomes clear when you look at the artwork: A animal getting skinned for some stuck-up lady. I don�t like the drawing that much, but it�s cool to even have a message in something like that and it illustrates real good what the title is about. The lyrics contain some kind of message most of the time, but at the same time are soaked with sarcasm. They deal with the internet (�Bored Generation), politics (�Belgium�s Burning�) or just their hate against authority (Who would have guessed: �I Hate Authority�).
I guess it�s hard to really change your style and do something new, if you lean so heavy on the classics like Sunpower does. But hey, if you�re still stuck in the eighties this should work out fine for ya! If you like Sunpower�s previous releases, you can�t go wrong with this record also. I just hoped they wouldn�t have gone for the easy solution so it would�ve been a bit more interesting. Be sure to check em out live, always a cool time!
(Holy Shit records did the LP by the way!)
Rating: 4,5 / 5 - asice -