Complete Control--Reaction
TKO 2004
As great as punk rock is, it isn't often that something truly fresh feeling comes along. So, when that new energy strikes, it's best to seize upon it immediately. This certainly applies to Complete Control's debut slab Reaction. With this disc, they've managed to breathe quite a bit of new life into their chosen realm of the punk rock universe.
Complete Control's sound leans heaviest on UK82 styled punk. That said, these guys also inject doses of pure rock n' roll into the mix, which you don't often see out of other like-minded outfits. A new wave slant even manages to work its way into Reaction--this mechanized feel due mainly to how tightly the band executes their music. Still, if you had to compare Complete Control to just one band it would be Epitaph-era Offspring--this influence surfaces particularly through the vocal quality and delivery found on Reaction. These guys definitely have their own identity, but that similarity is there.
Not only do Complete Control sound fresher than most other bands of this ilk, they also get it done in the songwriting department on Reaction. Nice blasts of pure rock n' roll in its lead guitar work make "Blame" stand out. However, "Locked In" and the title track, "Reaction," earn top honors--both songs possess the feel of new wave plasticity without actually being plastic. From track six, "Bodies Are Burning," to the final cut "In The End...," the aforementioned Offspring parallels dominate Reaction and should appeal to listeners craving something a little more straight up.
In the end, Reaction is a great start for Complete Control. Straightforward enough for those set in their ways, yet unorthodox enough for those craving something new, this thing has something for everyone. Most recommended to those burnt out on this style of punk, Reaction could wind up making it all fun to consume again. Worth a spin.
Score this CD directly from TKO
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