Calvinball

Live Fast, Go to Bed Early (2008)

Jkip

Ever since Latterman released the magnificent No Matter Where We Go..! in 2005, an entire scene of Latterman-inspired bands has formed. Many of these bands (such as Shorebirds, Bridge and Tunnel and Iron Chic) include members of the defunct Latterman. Additionally, many of these bands reside in the New York area. This makes it all the more interesting that my personal favorite Latterman-esque band does not come from New York, or even from the United States. Of course, I am speaking of the United Kingdom's own, Calvinball.

Calvinball's eight-song EP, Live Fast, Go to Bed Early features everything you would expect it to feature based on the last paragraph. Each song provides you with an infectious and anthemic chorus, almost always sung with hoarse dual vocals. The give-and-take between Calvinball's two singers is reminiscent of Oh! Calcutta! style Lawrence Arms, and is used to perfection. This technique grabs hold of the listener from the very first track, and continues throughout most of the album.

Every song on Live Fast, Go to Bed Early is worth listening to. The first three tracks are all fairly similar, and all represent the style that Calvinball does best. The EP takes a break with the song "A Toast to Those Who Drink the Most," but it is hardly a filler track. It still provides plenty of opportunities to sing along, despite being less aggressive, and with little instrumental backing. To finish the EP, Calvinball include a five-minute-long, primarily instrumental track. However, it does include the same few lines repeated over and over. The song ends the EP with, what else, a sing-along.

Calvinball are proving to be the UK's answer to Latterman, but they have enough of their own style to be more than just another Latterman-esque band. After playing The Fest this year, look for them to, hopefully, be more active in the States. Until then, give the EP a listen; if you like their style of music, you are bound to be hooked.