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Imagine Solid State alum Stretch Arm Strong and underground hardcore act Jesus Wept coming together, along with some friends from other punk and hardcore bands, to record a tribute album to the pioneering hardcore band No Innocent Victim. Toss in current Victory Records’ act Comeback Kid and the result is Facedown Records’ latest hardcore punk band Take it Back! Like Comeback Kid and xLookingForwardx, the band in question combines blaring and brutal hardcore with a unique blend of punk rock to boot. They might not be the most original punk band, but they still exhibit plenty of room for improvement. While their Facedown Records’ debut “Can’t Fight Robots” may sound rather quirky, listeners can relax as references and similarities to EleventySeven or Styx’s break out hit “Mr. Roboto” are nowhere to be found.
Much like their namesake, many of Take it Back’s songs deal with reclaiming victory in the name of Christ Jesus. On the album opener “Standing on the Edge of Hope,” a gang vocal declares ‘THERE’S SO MUCH MORE TO LIFE THAN THESE FOUR WALLS,’ boldly promoting a sense of togetherness to pick up the broken pieces of one’s shattered dreams and goals. “The Truth” continues the vein of proclamation with earth-shaking yells that describe an individual dying to himself and running back to the One Who waits for him with open arms like in the parable of the Prodigal Son. Though at times repetitive, “Can’t Fight Robots” also floods the listener’s ears with speed driven drum beats and three chord guitar melodies in songs like “Knees to the Earth,” “Time Waits for No Man,” and the tempo building “These Days.”
The defining moments of Take it Back shine exclusively within the melodic and passionate “Lights In this Town,” with vocalist Nick sounding almost exactly like Josh Kimble (of Dogwood fame) and the ending track “All That Keeps Us Strong.” The latter concludes with a message of praise with the entire band singing ‘Fill us with passion and burning desire, hearts that are holy,’ which continue up through the song’s end. However, Take it Back! just might be a band who may not be fully appreciated for their talent unless they’re given a chance to showcase their energy and musicianship on a public stage.
Overall, “Can’t Fight Robots” is a joyride through the menacing punk rock scene, yet with a positive and brutally honest message of strength and encouragement. Take it Back! have the drive and potential to possibly earn themselves gigs at an event such as the Warped Tour, as well as an opportunity in the near future to open for punk rock heavyweights like Green Day, MxPx, or Rise Against. The fight to end the war against the digital machines of destruction (unculturally biased and legalistic network media types) begins now, with five young hardcore punk rockers from Arkansas leading the way in message and in sound.
| Production | 7 | | Lyrics | 8 | | Message | 8 | | Overall Quality
7 |
Release Date: June 24, 2008
Label: Facedown Records
Track Listing
1. Standing on the Edge of Hope
2. Times Have Changed
3. Together, Burning Bright!
4. These Days
5. Lights in this Town
6. A New Day
7. The Truth
8. Knees to the Earth
9. Time Waits for No Man
10. A Struggle to Stay Standing
11. Act Your Age, Not You Shoe Size
12. All That Keeps Us Strong
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