Search - Civ :: Thirteen Day Getaway

A sad, sad departure for CIV

Jacob Sprecher | Chico, CA | 12/17/2003

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Thirteen Day Vaction is complete JUNK. It is the worst possible kind of pop-punk. Sappy, ridiculous lyrics with a bland and over-produced sound. This album is no different than anything Good Charlotte has put out. There is no edge or grit present at any level. It is mind boggling to me that this could be the same band that put out Set Your Goals. It's more than apparent that CIV was shooting for mainstream acceptance, but why fall so far from the tree? Couldn't there have been some sort of middle ground? Songs like "Big Girl" and "Secondhand Superstar" are gag worthy! But really, those two songs alone can't sum up the overall wretched vibe Thirteen Day Vacation gives. It's really sad that a band with so much potential had to go out with a sissy-rock album like this."

The album that killed a legendary punk rawk band.

Jay McGrath | New York, New York | 07/09/2001

(2 out of 5 stars)

"....... disappointment I felt ...[about] "Thirteen Day Getaway" by Civ. .... Civ's first record "Set Your Goals" was an amazing piece of punk rock. It was a big departure from the Gorilla Biscuits sound (which some fans were ok with, and others were not) and ended up going on to sell 1 million copies in the U.S. with the help of the single "Can't Wait One Minute More" featuring Lou from Sick of it All and a MTV video featuring a bevy of New York Hardcore legends.Atlantic based on this success felt that the band might be ready to take Civ to "the next level" and suggested the band might want to broaden their sound to sell more records. The idea was tossed around the band, and then finally agreed upon. In my opinion the new sound is [not good] ... It can be described as this sort of 60's rock/punk rock hybrid that misfires again and again, complete with hoakey lyrics and moog organs. "Haven't Been Myself in Awhile" and "Itchycoo Park" are particularily grating ... What happened to the band I love?!!" Civ finally gets back to old form with "Owners Manual", but by then the damage has been done and you really don't care anymore. The song "Little Men" written by Walter of Quicksand is the only other decent moment on this CD.In the end Civ gambled. He gambled that the bands new sound (and apperance at the MTV Beach House in '98) would earn the band enough new fans to not have to worry about alienating the old ones. Unfortunetly Civ was wrong and rolled snake eyes with his big fuzzy dice from the "Set Your Goals" album cover instead of 7 or 11. Civ has since broken up ... and Civ now runs a tattoo palor in New York City probably thinking about what he would do differently if he could do it again. They have simply become an Atlantic write off. ........Hopefully Civ will come back to the stage again soon and leave this travesty of a record where it belongs, the past."

Another good punk band sells their music to MTV

silkyapril@aol.com | sd ca | 01/15/1999

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I first listened to Civ when he was the lead singer of the hardcore band Gorilla Biscuts. They were arguably one of the best hardcore bands ever. Then CIV formed. The first album "Set your goals," though toned down, was a great album. With inspirational lyrics reminiscent of his hardcore days. I started to become concerned when they put a video on MTV. My fears were heightened when I heard they became a house band for some stupid MTV spring break show. This is not to say that a band playing on MTV is a sellout. But in most cases the you'll find their music changes to accomodate the pop MTV crowd. This the path that CIV took. The music can best be described as pop punk. With easy listening guitar riffs and a new melodic, light hearted singing voice (and lyrics) to go with it. Try their debut album if you like good punk music"