imadethismistake – It’s Okay

by Kyle Risley (Business), published July 5th 2010

Previously an acoustic project headed solely by Kylewilliam Campol, imadethismistake recruited a bassist and drummer to expand the capabilities of the band. The result is It’s Okay, a more dynamic and energetic album than imadethismistake’s previous work. Harboring a vocal intensity akin to Neutral Milk Hotel and a power chord backdrop that sounds like it would belong on The Promise Ring’s Nothing Feels Good (1997), imadethismistake forms a melodic and appealing brand of folk-meets-pop punk. The most interesting aspect of the record is the use of gang vocals, something usually reserved for the hardcore kids. They’re used sparingly and always highlight strong points of the song.

Unfortunately, there are a few rough patches on the record that are almost always the result of Campol’s word choice. His lyrics often take a turn for the pre-pubescent, resulting in some cringe-worthy moments on the record that sound like they should be featured on the latest Victory Records release. Despite some falters, however, Campol offers consistently above average insight on the themes of friendship, romance, and personal struggles. For someone looking for a DIY folk-punk experience with a dash of literacy, imadethismistake is just the band to fill that void. Recommended for fans of The Mountain Goats, Neutral Milk Hotel, mewithoutYou, and The Promise Ring.

Rating: 3.0/5