Tilt's Collect 'Em All walks a tightrope

By Matt Schild
Rocky Mountain Collegian (Colorado State U.)
04/09/98

(UWIRE) FT. COLLINS, Colo. -- Like a trapeze artist walking the tightrope, Tilt's Collect 'Em All, released by Fat Wreck Chords, focuses on one thing: balance.

Balance. Tilt manages to walk the tightrope between aggression and civility, creating another album with their signature sound that is both seductive and energetic. With fast-paced drums pushing a frenzied melodic guitar and bass, Tilt manages to tap into the energy that is the stuff of punk rock legend without overextending themselves into wild thrash. While too melodic for some hardcore fans and too defiant for some pop-punk fans, Tilt throws out a disc that sits comfortably at the epicenter of modern punk rock.

Balance. Cinder Block's vocals continue to build on the vibe created by the band. Whether in a furious, manic rant or a sustained note, both the power and sheer beauty of Block's voice are undeniable. From the wired "Palm Tree (In West Oakland)," to sleepy (by Tilt's standards) "Goddess of the Moon," Block sings like a woman possessed. With songs featuring aggro verses linked to wailing choruses, Block's versatility is showcased in this album, switching vocal gears on a dime. In "Molly Coddled" Block jumps back and forth between her angel and devil voices like a 5-year-old schoolgirl skipping rope.

Balance. Tilt builds upon its old sound, though does not rely upon it. With the hard-hitting musical stylings of older Tilt releases, Collect 'Em All is clearly a continuation of the band's work, though they have turned the energy up a few notches on this record. The band's slower numbers haven't been neglected in this process either. Both "Goddess of the Moon" and "Dear Wife" feature slower tempos and '50s-style riffs.

Balance. Tilt also walks a fine line between personal and socially conscious lyrics, twisting both emotional appeals and biting social commentary. Usually neither end of this spectrum gets the upper hand, with songs that make a strong social impression using personal, emotional appeals rather than the cold steel commentary of most punk rock. "Dear Wife," takes a fresh angle to anti-war songs in the form of a soldier's letter's home, "Old Skool Pig," compares violent punks to their traditional enemies, the police, and "Minister of Culture" is a searing appeal for women's rights worldwide.

Like the tightrope walker, Tilt does get wobbly and off-balance at times. "Tundra," takes a totally emotionally based stance, while "Hero Marauder" and "Partial Birth" focus only upon social issues. Though these songs are powerful, they lack the punch that the majority of Tilt's songs on this album deliver so sweetly.

Tilt's Collect 'Em All walks a tightrope By Matt Schild Rocky Mountain Collegian (Colorado State U.) 04/09/98 (UWIRE) FT. COLLINS, Colo. -- Like a trapeze artist walking the tightrope, Tilt's Collect 'Em All, released by Fat Wreck Chords, focuses on one thing: balance. Balance. Tilt manages to walk the tightrope between aggression and civility, creating another album with their signature sound that is both seductive and energetic. With fast-paced drums pushing a frenzied melodic guitar and bass, Tilt manages to tap into the energy that is the stuff of punk rock legend without overextending themselves into wild thrash. While too melodic for some hardcore fans and too defiant for some pop-punk fans, Tilt throws out a disc that sits comfortably at the epicenter of modern punk rock. Balance. Cinder Block's vocals continue to build on the vibe created by the band. Whether in a furious, manic rant or a sustained note, both the power and sheer beauty of Block's voice are undeniable. From the wired "Palm Tree (In West Oakland)," to sleepy (by Tilt's standards) "Goddess of the Moon," Block sings like a woman possessed. With songs featuring aggro verses linked to wailing choruses, Block's versatility is showcased in this album, switching vocal gears on a dime. In "Molly Coddled" Block jumps back and forth between her angel and devil voices like a 5-year-old schoolgirl skipping rope. Balance. Tilt builds upon its old sound, though does not rely upon it. With the hard-hitting musical stylings of older Tilt releases, Collect 'Em All is clearly a continuation of the band's work, though they have turned the energy up a few notches on this record. The band's slower numbers haven't been neglected in this process either. Both "Goddess of the Moon" and "Dear Wife" feature slower tempos and '50s-style riffs. Balance. Tilt also walks a fine line between personal and socially conscious lyrics, twisting both emotional appeals and biting social commentary. Usually neither end of this spectrum gets the upper hand, with songs that make a strong social impression using personal, emotional appeals rather than the cold steel commentary of most punk rock. "Dear Wife," takes a fresh angle to anti-war songs in the form of a soldier's letter's home, "Old Skool Pig," compares violent punks to their traditional enemies, the police, and "Minister of Culture" is a searing appeal for women's rights worldwide. Like the tightrope walker, Tilt does get wobbly and off-balance at times. "Tundra," takes a totally emotionally based stance, while "Hero Marauder" and "Partial Birth" focus only upon social issues. Though these songs are powerful, they lack the punch that the majority of Tilt's songs on this album deliver so sweetly.