I've got to hand it to Cape Renewal for putting out one of the most original releases I've heard in awhile. Water Color, their second technical full-length (the band has littered compilations, put out EPs and has an out-of-print eight-song CD) is entirely eclectic, and though original, it takes its toll on the listener. Melodic self-described "mediumcore" bleeds into blabbering speak bleeds into a scream here and there; some of the lyricism borders on bad rap. But halfway through the record, the initial originality wears off. The group has been genre-billed as screamo or metal or rock, but they hardly seem to fall under these categories. If anything, Water Color is a very progressive, Cure-influenced, mewithoutYou lyrical stream of consciousness lightly peppered with screams and owns the phrase "going out on a limb;" however, the critical acclaim is going to come from being different—not from being outstanding.
Editors' ratings — Doug 2.5/5, David 2.5/5
