Review: Midstress' Growing Up Is Getting Old
Last time we reviewed these guys, they were still the Fresh Kills. This time around, they're Midstress. Conceived in a timeframe spanning both bandnames, their second full length Growing Up is Getting Old makes it clear that the change has been kind to the band. The slashing riffs, overflowing energy and shouted choruses from last year's Turn Up the Brilliance are still there, but the steps up in songwriting and production push this album to a higher level.
Things are immediately apparent on album opener "I'm From the Midwest. I'm Softspoken," which encapsulates everything I love about this band in just under four minutes. Built on a rock-solid chord progression, the song finds space for a lengthy intro and multiple section, but more importantly the sense of urgency and pathos that make a punk record great (Clarity, anyone?). It's like listening to Minor Threat doing soundtracking for a 1950s high school movie, and — I would argue — one of the absolute best songs to come out of Champaign in recent memory.
Now, this isn't to say that the band have abandoned their roots — "Time Flies" is a two minute blast that would have fit in perfectly on Turn Up the Brilliance — but they've obviously moved into bigger territory, utilizing a pleasantly clear mix that allows you to catch all of the small flourishes and accents that create the band's kinetic sound. The band use vocal overdubs to great effect on several songs here, but nowhere better than the album's closer, "Pentagrams in the Attic," where the fists pumping during the song's customary live shout-along are almost tangible. It's also a showcase track for the band's driving yet melodic lead parts.
The album has several other great tracks, notably the punchy "Gimme Your Wallet" and High Street checking "Too Many Shoes, Not Enough Feet," but no one song feels lesser than another. Growing Up is Getting Old functions best as a contiguous whole, a sustained shout that compels your attention.
Midstress play tonight at Cowboy Monkey with Santah and Easter ($7 / 9:30 pm). Growing Up is Getting Old is out now via Red Dye Distro.
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Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
That article almost looks like something out of The Onion
Thanks! I’m looking forward to writing even more….
Yay! Love this! Welcome to the family!
that last photo’s a doozie, Chris. good work.
that city center house show was one of those life-affirming things.
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“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
Swap the dog for a fire pit and it sounds like you’re writing about my back yard. Very nice.
funny, as your summer begins, another Summer ends.
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represent, Matt.