They might be Children, but their music is already grown up
Posted February 21, 2009
By Nathan,
(NOTE: the rating has nothing to do with this review)
Ever wonder how Family Force 5 would sound if they did punk music? I haven’t either, but if they did there is a chance that it might sound like Children 18:3. Although the band doesn’t have quite the same techno influence as Family Force 5 the trio punkers from Minnesota looks scary also. Taking their name from Matthew 18:3 (‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.’) this family of rockers takes one of the most energetic authentic punk acts to their self titled debut.
Right off the bat it’s clear that Children 18:3 has something a pretty special going on, or at the very least unique. The first single “you know we are so fond of dying” is low tempo compared to most of the album with its consistent, but repetitive, punk/rock beat which stands on its own. Most of the time David Hostetter has the lead vocals, but with the most notable exception “search warrant” is driven by his sister Lee Marie who generates a Superchic[k] like atmosphere, only on ten cups of coffee. However most of the meat is mad up of songs like “ditches” where the main guitar riffs sound partially like a cat being scorched by a flame thrower and “all of my balloons” a very wild punk song which at times echo’s Last Tuesday on steroids.
It’s pleasant to see fourteen tracks show up on the band’s debut disc but it’s sad to see “Even sleeping”, the fifth song on the CD, top the first thirteen tracks with its 3:16 track length. Song lengths drop as low as 36 seconds on the pointless “balloons reprise” and 53 seconds on “Samantha” the light guitar led ballad. But still Children 18:3 is efficient most of the time pumping out the intense punk/rock “final” which has a very distinct bridge. With the exception to the 80’s punk style “The city” when the music slows down Children 18:3 still retains their poise in their softer punk tunes like “a chance to say goodbye” which has a pleasant pop/punk sound which adds depth to the album.
If only all of Children 18:3’s messages where as easy to figure out their bands name, but other than a few notable exceptions the surface of their first album is an enigma. “Homemade Valentine” ponders the unbelief of the Disciples during Christ’s time in the tomb and “final” takes the stance that to die is to gain (‘Go ahead and show yourself/As you were born to do/Their fathers killed the prophets/Hallelujah! They're going to kill us too’). However “you know we are so fond of dying” has an unclear message but it’s possible the singer is tired of being used for bad proposes as band states ‘Maybe Jesus could take it away’. Among other cryptic songs “Samantha” seems discourage suicide.
But is Children 18:3 point on “LMC” to live life with more urgency or is it complicated with no purpose (‘They're coming/You know you can't run with the death squad shooting’). It probably has purpose but none that easily reveals itself and along with “LCM's” strange theme follows half the album. Nevertheless this is a good start for Children 18:3 and its clear good things are in store of them if they can continue their outstanding extreme punk tunes along with clearer messages.
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