Pardon My French
by Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!
French pop-metal band Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! released their second full-length album Pardon My French under the Fearless Record label on April 30th, 2013. I know, I know, I’m really late on hearing about this band, but thank goodness I finally did! They have become my new addiction.
Pardon My French exhibits C!NCC!’s ability to mix together the opposing genres of pop and metalcore in a way that appeals to both genres’ audiences. Head banging yet upbeat, songs like “Restart,” “Haters Gonna Hate,” and “Taking Chances”—just to name a few—compel the listener to sing along.
It is difficult to compare the remarkable vocals of Bertrand Poncet to that of any other singer. He has singing skills all along the spectrum ranging from a deep growl to a higher-pitched, clear-voiced singing. His voice is practically designed for the genre he plays, and is comparable only to Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire.
Pardon My French exhibits C!NCC!’s ability to mix together the opposing genres of pop and metalcore in a way that appeals to both genres’ audiences. Head banging yet upbeat, songs like “Restart,” “Haters Gonna Hate,” and “Taking Chances”—just to name a few—compel the listener to sing along.
It is difficult to compare the remarkable vocals of Bertrand Poncet to that of any other singer. He has singing skills all along the spectrum ranging from a deep growl to a higher-pitched, clear-voiced singing. His voice is practically designed for the genre he plays, and is comparable only to Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire.
To explain C!NCC!’s unique sound, I’m going to take a look at the first song on the record, called “Restart.” After a couple seconds of static, the band launches into this really hard-hitting guitar riff that has the catchiness of pop but the deep, edginess of metalcore. At first, when Poncet sings it’s a half-scream/half-spoken vocal that accelerates into a deep-throated scream. In half a second Poncet switches from angry metalcore singer to peppy pop singer, using his high, pretty voice. It’s almost like C!NCC! has two personalities and switches between the two.
Arguably the best song on the album, “Haters Gonna Hate” displays C!NCC!’s remarkable ability to write funny lyrics despite the fact that English is not their first language. For example, Poncet sings in the memorable chorus:
Arguably the best song on the album, “Haters Gonna Hate” displays C!NCC!’s remarkable ability to write funny lyrics despite the fact that English is not their first language. For example, Poncet sings in the memorable chorus:
Get up, open your eyes,
You’re just like everyone.
You waste all your time faking your smile.
Take a look at your life, you don’t need to f*@k mine.
Here is my advice: GET THE F*@K OUT!
You’re just like everyone.
You waste all your time faking your smile.
Take a look at your life, you don’t need to f*@k mine.
Here is my advice: GET THE F*@K OUT!
Many different songs on the album start with the heavy metal/metal core guitar riffs, like “Bipolar Mind,” “The Progression of Regression,” and “Between Your Lines.” Whenever any of those songs play on my stereo I become one of those people you see when you’re driving who are air-guitaring and head banging at every traffic light.
Pardon My French is an extremely good album, but is not consistent. By song nine or ten, attention tends to drift; the album fails to keep the listener captivated. However, the first eight songs are some of the best songs written in the metalcore genre. The first eight songs are as follows:
Pardon My French is an extremely good album, but is not consistent. By song nine or ten, attention tends to drift; the album fails to keep the listener captivated. However, the first eight songs are some of the best songs written in the metalcore genre. The first eight songs are as follows:
Restart
Taking Chances
Bipolar Mind
Haters Gonna Hate
The Progression of Regression
Pardon My French
Between Your Lines
I Am Nothing Like You
Taking Chances
Bipolar Mind
Haters Gonna Hate
The Progression of Regression
Pardon My French
Between Your Lines
I Am Nothing Like You
C!NCC! also has a fantastic collection of music videos on their YouTube channel. All of them are entertaining and clearly were even more fun to film than they are to watch. I suggest watching the videos for “Haters Gonna Hate” and “In Friends We Trust.” It’s quite evident from these videos that the members of C!NCC! are humorous guys.
I first heard about C!NCC! when I was reading through the Van’s Warped Tour lineup. My dad talked my ear off about the lead singer’s vocal range on the drive up to the festival. I attended Warped Tour on two separate days, and on the first day, I didn’t have the chance to see C!NCC!, but my dad did. He swore that they put on a mind-blowing show, so it was my priority the next day to make sure I saw them. Not only was my dad right, but what he said was an understatement! C!NCC!—all of their members—are born performers, truly meant to spend their life on the stage. Their concert was downright FUN.
I absolutely love this band, and I suggest you check out the awesome album Pardon My French!
 | Zoe Adler is a music journalist from Long Beach, California. Besides her website, which is her pride and joy, she works with the GRAMMY Foundation and the Long Beach Independent. Additionally, Ms. Adler is a musician, spending half of her time playing the flute, piccolo, trombone, and marching baritone. She has been with TeenView Music since the very start and hopes to make something of it in the future. |
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