Motorcycle Display Team - Captatio Benevolentiae
It was the release of The Crayon Masterpiece EP back in early 2010 that first introduced the UK to Motorcycle Display Team, and ever since the band has been working up to a point where they can take a leap and release their debut album Captatio Benevolentiae. Well the time has come...
The album has been unveiled and the result is a collection of varying styles and inspirations. Fusing together a fluctuating degree of style elements such as disco, pop, indie, punk and rock to makes their own unique post-pop outlet. The album kicks off with the hard hitting drums and bass of Breaktown, that progresses with some unexpected twists. There are a few rockier tracks in The Best Ex You Ever Had, with its pulsating strong guitar focus and the crashing and pounding of Zigfrid Part Two, both expressing a tougher feel, while Brick Wall takes this one step further with its darker layer buried beneath the bouncy exterior.
Summerbomb and Betweenager are brighter tunes, guitars bouncier and a lighter mood expressed with the latter having quite a bounce in its step. Better Than Sex has more of a rhythm, a flowing guitar melody with a catchier chorus and some backing harmonies while Cynics In Love has quite a melody growing out of the vocal and music combination which catches the ear. As the album comes to its final song however, things are rounded off wonderfully and in a way that no other song has hit upon.
The vocalist has the ability to alter his vocal capabilities depending on what each track requires; something lighter for poppier numbers or tougher tones for more rugged songs. The lyrics he sings are creative and for much of the time appear to have a story to tell which captures a listener's attention as the music accompanies the words rather than overpowers it.
Motorcycle Display Team is a band capable of experimenting within a collection of styles and this album demonstrates this well.