Here is one of those records I’ve been anticipating for quite some time. Taken By Force, the sophomore LP from Melbourne band Civic, succeeds Future Forecast, which was my #6 record of 2021. Civic is known (or should be!) for their exciting blend of punk and rock. They can sound intense, they can play fast, but that doesn’t seem to be an end of itself for the band. Obviously, Civic is unafraid to wield a guitar solo here and there, and they sure are capable to boil down a lot of energy in catchy and pointy songs. And yet, whereas Civic sounded more like a punkband inspired by rock music on their previous outings, they sound more like a rock band incorporating elements of punk on Taken By Force. The brisk guitar riffs and solo’s are still here, but Civic is unafraid to take the foot of the gas pedal. They sound more diverse than before, keeping things interesting for current fans while baiting a broader fanbase.
As explained at NME, Civic had a postapocalyptic landscape in mind as a vision for the record. While that bleakness and darkness shines through, the songs definitely make your heart beat faster and make you want to revisit this record again and again. I know I will! Taken By Force is out now through ATO Records and Cooking Vinyl Australia.