Punknews.orgPunknews.org Logo
Review Navigator

BackForward

Features

 

Contests

 


Reviews



The simplest way to describe Paint It Black's debut CVA is the title of one of the tracks on their Jade Tree debut: "Less Deicide, More Minor Threat"

Just like Lifetime and Kid Dynamite took their cues from early melodic hardcore like Gorilla Biscuits and Dag Nasty, Paint It Black is influenced by hardcore like early Minor Threat. Take that as a warning; if your favourite Kid Dynamite songs were the melodic and poppy tracks, Paint It Black might not be for you. But if you still can't give up your copies of "In God We Trust, Inc." or "Out of Step" then Paint It Black's "CVA" will be a breath of fresh air.

Without nary a track clocking over two minutes, and most barely hitting the one minute mark, there is no hint of prentention on indulgence. This is pure energy captured in plastic, and is a refreshing achievement for Dan Yemin and his third band, and frankly, his third amazing project.

Even more surprising considering Dan came up with Paint It Black while recovering from a stroke; rather than rolling over and giving up on music - something no one would be able to fault him for - he came back with his hardest work to date.

The title of the record "CVA" refers to cerebrovascular accident, the medical terminology for a stroke, and completely belies the fury and power on the record, which is of a musician who seems to consistently be in his prime. From the first of the seventeen songs, there is nary a let up in the sardonic lyrics, razor sharp instrumentation or blazing drumming.

I don't want to write a review that will take you longer to read then the record will take to listen to, so I'll keep it short. Paint It Black is both an homage to the classics of early hardcore, and a testament to the incredible strength of will and talent of the members. If you're at all a fan of Dan's work, or hardcore in any sense, you would be crazy to pass this up.

I'll leave you with something Dan posted to the website:

    "In April of 2001 I had a stroke. I was really lucky and survived with minimal damage. Facing death is terrifying and I don’t wish it on anyone, especially when you’re young. It can be emotionally paralyzing, and can leave you feeling very fragile.

    When you feel fragile there’s a temptation to live life too cautiously, so that even when you survive you live like you’re half-dead. For me the experience put life in a new perspective and humbled me. I gained a new understanding of what was important to me and what concerns were trivial and not worthy of my time and effort. Unfortunately it also left me emotionally crippled for awhile, because I was so afraid of feeling fragile and weak that I shut down my feelings altogether for a couple of months. As I shook myself awake from that emotional numbness, I started taking steps to put this band together, after over a year away from music.

    Thanks to Dave W., Dave H., Spider, Andy and Matt for helping me come full circle in my recovery. This band is the sound of survival. "





People who liked this also liked:
Paint It Black - ParadiseNOFX - The DeclineThe Loved Ones - Keep Your HeartKid Dynamite - Kid DynamiteMinor Threat - Complete DiscographyAgainst Me! - As The Eternal CowboyThe Lawrence Arms - The Greatest Story Ever ToldOperation Ivy - Operation IvyThe Lawrence Arms - Oh! Calcutta!The Clash - London Calling



Please login or register to post comments.
What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
  • Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
  • Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
  • Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
  • Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

    Posted by bloofy on 2008-02-18 05:57:34
    My Score:

    This might just be my favourite hardcore punk album.

    Posted by PatrickEwing on 2008-01-06 23:48:59

    1/6/08

    This album is still awesome.

    Posted by peaceonmars on 2006-06-08 20:41:11

    I love this album.
    And the band's really nice, whenever I see them I talk with Dan and Andy. They're nice dudes.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 at 12:57 AM (EST)

    Good helpand god damn great guys. At the show they did in Ottawa this past Saturday they put on a great show and then Dan sat back at the merch booth for everyone to come up and talk to and he went the extra step of actually asking people for there names, definitly no rock star bullshit from these guys

    Posted by joeg on 2005-09-26 17:21:49
    My Score:

    saw these guys a few months ago. ripped through 20 songs in 30 minutes. yes sir.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 11, 2005 at 3:56 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    August 11, 2005

    This CD rocks as hard or even harder than when I first heard it over a year ago. BUY THIS CD. Hardcore perfection.

    Posted by chan_e on 2004-10-16 02:55:05
    My Score:

    this album sounds fucking cool, and it doesn't stop.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 at 3:00 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Straight-up, awesome hardcore. I love it. If Black Flag and Minor Threat had an illegitimate child, who grew up hating pretty boys in metalcore (while rocking Kid Dynamite in it's headphones), this would be it.

    And to whoever said NMB is better, you're fucking high. KD, PIB are two sep. beasts, don't compare them either. They're coming to NYC soon w/Strike Anywhere, makin' the effort to see that!

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 1, 2004 at 10:51 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "To Sickboi- What is the GUERILLA? And what is a steakhead? I've been to the East Coast a few times, and I'm assuming it's a Philly thing, but I'm unfamiliar with these terms."

    not philly, RVA motherfucker.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 8, 2004 at 5:26 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    AHHHHH! The greatest hardcore album in a long-ass time, blow any fucking ghey metalcore album outta the water. Yemin is fucking genius. "The Insider" is blasting all over my house, I love that song. It's totally true. C'mon, who hasn't been told something fucking aweful by someone else, and you're supposed to laugh just cause you look WASP?

    Posted by Hardcore-Softexterior on 2003-08-14 12:02:18
    My Score:

    This record kicks my ass all over the damn apartment. I love it! MORE!

    Posted by unconcerned on 2003-08-03 12:08:15
    My Score:

    I think this, the KD album coming out next month, and the new outkast double cd are all making top 10 this year.

    This album blows none more black out of the water.

    More people need to have problems with their hearts so they can come back and do this kinda work.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 1, 2003 at 8:20 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Paint it Black roxors my boxors!! -SaYnE_GuY

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 1, 2003 at 1:32 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    To Sickboi- What is the GUERILLA? And what is a steakhead? I've been to the East Coast a few times, and I'm assuming it's a Philly thing, but I'm unfamiliar with these terms.

    Posted by KirbyPuckett on 2003-08-01 12:43:34
    My Score:

    Jesus, this is pretty damn good!!!

    - Scott
    http://www.local-felons.com/
    (I'm tired)

    Posted by vien on 2003-08-01 03:13:42
    My Score:

    Has anyone seen the album cover for the new Give Up The Ghost cd yet? Interesting....

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 1, 2003 at 1:25 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    bu bu but the pancho.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 31, 2003 at 10:53 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Haha, I just watched the Stones' live show on HBO and Keith is really looking rough...it was a really tight set though, you have to give it to those guys.

    Posted by GreenVandal on 2003-07-31 21:05:26
    My Score:

    "Yeah and it was really cool of the Rolling Stones to name their band after a song too..."

    Zing motherfucker.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 31, 2003 at 8:00 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    A heads up for some people looking to pick up this album:

    There apparently are some stores that didn't get this album until 7/29. Either they screwed something up in the first printing, or ran out of copies, or who knows what, but nevertheless, the stores I checked at had two release dates listed (6/29 and 7/29).

    I found it at my local all punk rock store (Extreme Noise). You might need to check those places.

    -p@!

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 31, 2003 at 11:21 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This record is pretty fucking tight. Not as good as Kid Dynamite, or None More Black though.

    Posted by pwfanatic on 2003-07-30 23:03:36
    My Score:

    man, i desperatly looked for this album but couldn't find it anywhere. now i have to order it online. balls. shit balls.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 at 6:30 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Yeah and it was really cool of the Rolling Stones to name their band after a song too...

    Posted by evildeadalive on 2003-07-30 17:34:03
    My Score:

    I wouldn't exactly call Dr. Dan a kid...

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 at 2:52 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    yeah that's really cool to name your band after a famous rolling stones song. what the fuck is wrong with you kids today

    Posted by KirbyPuckett on 2003-07-30 02:26:58
    My Score:

    I really dig the cover art. I'm a go pick this up tomorrow. I know, I've been slacking.

    - Scott
    http://www.local-felons.com/
    (I'm a say it now, I dig the new Rancid)

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 at 12:24 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    you listen to none more black, and you think 'kid dynamite really slowed down' and you listen to paint it black and go 'the kid dynamite singer has a cold, otherwise, rock on'.

    I'm glad the bands are around, but you guys obviously are in denial of how kid dynamite your both wanting to be. Just get back together. We understand.

    Anyway, im seeing them at krazyfest, probably pick this up there.

    wyzo

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 at 12:10 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i just saw these guys with cave in and the explosion (an all around amazing show, by the way) just now and the tore shit up. i picked up the new cd and it rips. 'nuff said.
    -hamish

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 9:43 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Thanks for the quality review, Aubin. Kepp up the good work.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 8:57 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this kids is what a hardcore band sounds like. so go return your stupid mosh metal band cd's and buy this instead.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 7:54 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Haha, ok I take back that album of the year statement...I just heard the new Lawrence Arms.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 7:12 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This is up there for my Album of the Year. One of the only CD's I have listened to basically non-stop since I picked it up. I'll agree that None More Black wasn't quite better than Kid Dynamite but in my opinion this album puts KD to shame. Fucking punk rock...

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 5:48 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    the demo kicked ass like no other....i ahve yet to get this cd but i am sure it will rule.....atleast u all say it will

    Posted by sickboi on 2003-07-29 17:33:02
    My Score:

    I don't want to profit, just shoot me an email and if you get me a tape I'll get you a copy. I'm trying to get a dvd burner so if you want a dvd copy that may be an option.

    brazenass@hotmail.com

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 5:21 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    sickboi- would you be interested in selling a copy of your video from the death by stereo show? I wanted so bad to make it to that show but couldn't get out of other obligations.

    Posted by evildeadalive on 2003-07-29 15:57:02
    My Score:

    Goddamn there's way too many good cd's coming out lately... I'll definitely be picken this sumbitch up before any other.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 3:39 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Crews are comical

    Posted by FortyMinutesWest on 2003-07-29 13:43:49
    My Score:

    This rips.

    Oh yeah, fuck crews.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 1:23 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I dug the harder KD songs, so I got right into this as soon as it arrived. Great fucking record.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 1:18 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Thank you for proving my point. "Crews", meheheh, I think these kids have watched "Colors" one too many times.

    -sickboi

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 1:15 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    guerilla isn't nearly as tough as h804. and plus, the DTN guys are good guys. especially the singer Dave. hes the nicest guy in the world. if paint it black was being dicks to them im sure they were complaining but guerilla isn't really into fighting at all. i was at this show in a book store last year in rva when horror show played with dtn, and all the philly kids who came with horror show (circle 9) tried to start a big fight with guerilla, and guerilla just stopped them and kicked them out, rather than absolutely destroy the philly kids (the philly kids were outnumbered by a ton). the guerilla kids aren't assholes. and the dtn dudes DEFINATELY aren't "steakheads."

    Posted by funkisdead on 2003-07-29 12:50:07
    My Score:

    man, fuck.
    rock on...

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 12:49 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    is it just me or PIB gets no love when they started this tour? i was one of the few people who liked them at the NYC show. but really don't fuck with dan. he is built like what...

    anyway, definitely in my top diez of 0-3.

    Ramo
    (don't talk/ until you take a walk in my chucks/ what the fuck/ i guess you're shit out of luck)

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 12:32 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i'm seeing them tonight and i can't wait to fucking get this record. i been waiting a long time...

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 11:41 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Stupid shit. Basically the whole "guerilla crew" (bahahaha) thought Paint it Black were being disrespectful and throwing DTN's stuff offstage and bossing them around, which was bullshit. So a large "crew" surround's PIB's guitarist and starts talking all this shit, fucking whack.

    Eventually Michael from the Bouncing Souls (who was filling in for Dave on drums with PIB) came over and put the the "crew" in their place.

    Reminded me of HATEOFOUR all too well...

    -sickboi

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 11:34 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Im going to get this today after work, sounds abit like strike anywhere to me minus thomas' vocals-oldpunker-

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 11:15 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Paint It Black = good
    What happened at the show Sunday with DTN?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 10:50 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    In my top 10 for the '03. Too bad those steakheads from Down to Nothing tried to start shit with them at the show Sunday. I wouldn't fuck with Dan, he's diesel.

    -sickboi