Melbourne quartet CIVIC admit it was time to shake things up going into album number three. Their debut 2021’s Future Forecast and its follow up Taken by Force in 2023 were fully embedded in Australian punk rock. The latter received plaudits from the likes of Mojo and NME but nevertheless CIVIC felt a shift had to happen for their third album Chrome Dipped set for release on 30 May via ATO Records.
Opener ‘The Fool’ immediately evokes a different vibe. The raucous punk rock is replaced by a more nuanced, considered sound. Thematically it’s inspired by the misguided person who “acts like drunken royalty” and thinks they’re “killing it” when in reality they’re doing nothing of the sort. The garage guitars and ramshackled pace support the strong narrative, the vocals delivered with clarity:
“The fool he wears a crown upon his head/You know it’s made of sticks and absurd string instead”
Title track continues in the same vein. ‘Chrome Dipped’ has a brooding darkness which is emphasised by the instrumentation. The drama is all consuming and here again the guitar is king as it dominates, twisting and turning but is completely in control of the listener’s attention.
Vocalist Jim McCullough lost his mother during the writing process for this album and songs such as ‘Gulls Way’ and ‘Amissus’ (a Latin word which translates as ‘loss’) were an opportunity to process her passing and consider matters of life and death. ‘Gulls Way’ is the first real evidence of CIVIC’s desire to move on from their punk rock roots. Slower, more melodic and simply oozing with atmosphere, it’s the longest track on Chrome Dipped at almost five minutes. There is a sense that CIVIC allowed this song, a highlight, to breathe, to be given the space to be what it needed to be. Deeply personal it is brutally honest and its stark vibe lingers long after the song has finished.
The contrast with ‘The Hogg’ is striking. An edgy pacier sound ruminates on human consciousness and the role of machines in the world. The harshness within the track perfectly matches these considerations, the raw guitar epitomising the machines and their lack of human emotion.
CIVIC’s evolution is perhaps most notable on ‘Starting All The Dogs Off’ . The band admit that they previously had an unwavering adherence to precise song structures. Here the shackles are thrown off and it’s interesting to note that guitarist Lewis Hodgson admits:
“Not too long ago that was a bit taboo for us. Initially it annoyed me, but it was a good exercise.”
It’s a rambling song which heads off in unexpected directions. Gothic and vivid with a spoken vocal in parts, the instrumentation teeters on the edge of chaos. ‘Starting All The Dogs Off’ is another highlight on Chrome Dipped, and the final lyrics proves that McCullough has a quality in his vocal which should be allowed to shine. The gothic tension continues on ‘Trick Pony’.
‘The opening bars of ‘Poison’ deceive the listener beautifully. CIVIC are not ready to give up their origins completely. This is electrifying with guitars and drums rattling along at pace. “Looking for the answer” is on repeat, and the guitar leans more into rock than punk here just for a snippet, heard but then quickly gone. “Slowly all the lights go out.” This frenetic pace continues on ‘Fragrant Rice’ – thrilling. The dialogue is unclear – is it a media report? No matter this breathless two and a half minutes is over too quickly, always a good sign.
‘Kingdom Come’ is a surprise as it is the closest CIVIC will possibly get to an acoustic song. The vocals are delivered by guitarist Hodgson and he describes the song as “a sort of ballad for a functional drug addict”, inspired by the actions and stories of several friends. Music and its creation can provide such catharsis when trying to make sense of the world around us. ‘Swing Of The Noose’ is a rollicking end to the album, its title alluding to the darkest of themes, yet the galloping speed of the track and the layered vocals again create such tension. Tight and punchy, its rattling pace and urgency see out Chrome Dipped on a high.
With Chrome Dipped, CIVIC wanted to progress and evolve. Why would an artist simply want to repeat again and again what they have produced before? This is their third album and they have indeed pushed themselves out of their creative comfort zone. The result is a body of work which demonstrates a versatility which will still satisfy the band’s fanbase. Dominated by dark themes it may be, but the personal connections to the music have added an intensity which will envelope, as well as entertain, the listener.
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