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Album Review

Camp Kill Yourself (CKY)

An Answer Can Be Found (2005)

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Camp Kill Yourself (more commonly known as CKY) is back, and without desiring the use of a cliché, is better than ever. For quite some time now, this Philadelphia based trio has been the unofficial soundtrack for skate videos and idiotic tom foolery everywhere. Their music has not only been featured on the by now infamous CKY videos, but also on prominent television shows such as MTV’s Jackass and Viva La Bam. In spite of all this publicity however, until now CKY has seemingly always been associated with these types of programs and not really been taken seriously as an independent musical entity. In any case, this is now definitely going to change, for with the release of their fourth disc, “An Answer Can Be Found”, CKY has hit a new level of musical excellence.

Even though the group’s sound has always been catchy and well developed, the tracks on their latest release go one step farther. Still offering CKY’s classic rugged rock sound, the songs are now much thicker in tone and layered with detailed musical work. The album starts with, “Suddenly Tragic”, a song which although structurally might appear familiar, does have a distinct difference most noticeable during the chorus. The song appears more complicated and boasts a wider variety of musical elements. Not to say that CKY’s music was ever simple in construction, but their work does now appear more elaborate. At nearly five minutes in length, the highly diverse “Suddenly Tragic” is an ideal introduction to the album and furthermore, to CKY’s new-found sound. The next song, “The Way You Lived”, is one of few more emotive songs on the album. With a very mellow, yet highly complicated guitar riff dominating the verse, this song offers some awesome “easy listening.” Next, although a tad faster, harder, and funkier, is “Dressed in Decay”, a song which follows suit and maintains this more melodious and calming flow. These two previous songs are not only fantastic, but are also affirmations that CKY’s sound has indeed diversified.

The fourth track, “Familiar Realm” is a perfect example of how CKY’s sound has retained its rockin’, grungy ferocity, yet applied a new level of happy-emoting. Maintaining a fairly consistent chugging rhythm, the song is accented with various repetitive guitar twangs, a fine mid-song solo, and lead singer Deron Miller’s highly captivating vocals. As the song slowly fades into nothing it transitions into a similar sounding “All Power to Slaves.” Some aspects of this song ring the same as its predecessor, however, of the notable differences the most amazing is the highly technical and intricate use of tempo and speed changes. This, combined with another awesome burst of guitar soloing, makes this jam yet another great one. Crunching along, the following track “Tripled Manic State” is easily the fastest, hardest, and best song on the disc. With a chorus as ferocious as it gets for CKY and a verse which rocks hard with the group’s patented simple funky rock sound, this song is a monster jam which will activate your head-bang senses.

Although basically a filler song, “Behind the Screams” nonetheless possesses its own special place on the album. It serves to offer a mini pause in the thus far continuous rock assault and moreover, it seems to make the eighth and next song sound even better. As “Deceit is Striking Gold” is up there battling it out for top spot on the disc, CKY yet again shows a new side of their music. Highly erratic, yet totally smooth, this short funky song is damn catchy and in no time will have you bobbing and singing along. Although by now the album has started to wind down, it nevertheless remains surprisingly impressive. The following two tracks are equally incredible and both continue to demonstrate CKY’s new talents. “As The Tables Turn” is the longer of the two and once again sounds simultaneously so familiar and totally new. Although shorter, “Sniped” is one of the more unique sounding songs on the album as it varies greatly in heaviness. The album closer, “Don’t Hold Your Breath”, is CKY at their newest. This crazy-soft song is an odd one out, but remains a great way in which to end what is this band’s best album ever.

Although more often than not it just plain rips, CKY’s fourth offering seems to exude more happiness than usual. “An Answer Can Be Found” is a formidable rock album, one which might come to be known as a turning point in these artists’ careers. CKY has definitely matured and in turn has directly applied this growth to their music adding a whole arsenal of effects to their already awesome sound. Although their previous releases, especially “Infiltrate-Destroy-Rebuild”, were excellent rock albums, this new one is more complex and multilayered than ever before. Do yourself a favour and seek out CKY now.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. Suddenly Tragic
02. The Way You Lived
03. Dressed in Decay
04. Familiar Realm
05. All Power to Slaves
06. Tripled Manic State
07. Behind The Screams
08. Deceit is Striking Gold
09. As The Tables Turn
10. Sniped
11. Don’t Hold Your Breath

Run Time: 38:52

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