Lipona
Atlas (Self-Released)
Release Date: October 14, 2008
1. Shutup And Stay Positive
2. Success Stories (mp3)
3. The Citadel (mp3)
4. Pressure
5. Ron Mexico
6. Moving Forward
7. Our Battle
8. To Wishful Thinking
9. Only Silence
10. Deception
Aside from the clean, acoustic strumming that kicks off the opening moments of LIPONA’s debut full-length, Atlas, there’s not a ton of room to catch your breath during the course of these ten punk rock burners. Of course, that just makes the Tallahassee, F.L. quartet’s capacity for infectious songwriting and challenging compositions that much more impressive.
Atlas comes at you fast and furiously; it’s visceral and unrelenting, and the term “fevered pitch” comes to mind more than once. Still, there’s a real sensitivity and intelligence on display – not to mention an uncanny knack for soaring melodies and heart-swelling crescendos – that prove the band has an undeniable talent and a maturity that belies their relatively short discography.
Perhaps Lipona’s greatest strength is the ability to hammer audience from all directions instrumentally without overwhelming or burying the melodies and harmonies that make it such a catchy, undeniable listen. Rapid-fire riffs tear through surging bass lines and breakneck drumming while vocalist Yamil Velez’s clean, composed delivery is punctuated by rousing gang vocals and impassioned sing-a-longs. Clenched-fists raised to the sky and rhythmic foot-stomping is the order of the day here, and the direct result of dynamite-charged choruses and ripping guitar solos. It’s a maelstrom of sounds that is both calculated and chaotic, deliberate and discordant.
There’s no doubt that Lipona have a iron-clad grasp on the intricacies and inner-workings of sub-genres ranging from skate punk to thrash to metal to pop punk. Nevertheless, Atlas is not fueled by technicalities or a deep knowledge of everything hardcore (although it certainly doesn’t hurt). Rather, it’s propelled by passion, youthful aggression and an inquisitive nature. Temper it all with emotionally resonant subject matter, downright contagious choruses and four members that seem to be in perfect sync with one another and you’ve got yourself one damn promising debut.
“Lipona have the ability to present a dangerously powerful act if they stick on this road and keep working hard.” – Punknews.org
“God bless Lipona. God bless living up to expectations…Atlas is everything I hoped this band could create.” – Absolutepunk.net
“Combining pieces from the melodic punk landscape to create Atlas, a road map of all the things I love about punk.” – Mammothpress.com
Lipona is Yamil Velez (vocals), Sean Boote (lead guitar), Roy Morlock (drums) and Danny Renninger (bass). Atlas was recorded at The Jackalope Studios by Hot Rod Circuit’s Andy Jackson with additional engineering at by Lee Dyess (Ninja Gun, Mayday Parade, Across Five Aprils) at Earthsound Recording. The album was originally released in April of 2008 but was recently re-pressed and will see an October 14, 2008 release. Lipona’s debut EP, Urbi Et Orbi, was put out by the band in August of 2007. For more info, go to www.myspace.com/lipona.
Press Contact: Chuck Daley / Beartrap PR / chuck@beartrappr.com / (704) 649-7128
