Castevet – “The Echo & The Light”

Castevet’s sophomore release The Echo & The Light relies heavily on gritty guitar-work, bouncing rhythm and harsh vocals. They wrap the package in liberal doses of fuzzy distortion and manage to cage the beast within the vinyl bars we commonly refer to as a record. As you’re first holding the album in your hands it shimmers like a wheel of white chocolate delivered by the gods themselves, and you can only just stop yourself from eating the damn thing.

After you give the eight tracks a spin you realize that its critical value actually outweighs its aesthetic/edible value. Hands down – no, not in that lame, emo Dashboard kind of way – this record is one of the better punk albums out there right now. It’s tight and aggressive while always leaping from a math-rock extreme to the depths of dirty, heavy, crusty punk… it’s a beautiful thing.

And as the coup de grace, it might actually top their debut. “Summer Fences” plays with atmospherics and landscapes better than “The Echo & The Light” does, although it has its moments as well, but what the second album does better is truly hone in on the aggression and blunt force of Castevet. Without that extra abrasion they would only be another 90’s emo imitation, but thanks to some healthy rage the Illinois quartet can present us with a genuine and powerful album.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. Six Parts Summer
02. Narrow Hallways
03. Hiccups
04. Lautrec
05. Midwest Values
06. Model Trains
07. Bike Notes
08. Cities & Memory

Run Time: 29:45
Release Date: 08.17.2010