Under Color of Official Right
Protomartyr · 2014
34 min · 14 tracks · punk rock
A raw, urgent blend of punk energy and introspective lyricism layered over jagged guitars and driving rhythms.
Top tracks — play these first
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Maidenhead — Opening the album with a powerful statement, this track encapsulates the band's raw sound while addressing themes of identity and alienation.
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Ain't So Simple — This track showcases the band's ability to combine catchy hooks with introspective lyrics, reflecting a sense of frustration with societal norms.
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Scum, Rise! — Here, the frenetic energy is channeled into an anthem that challenges complacency, making it a rallying cry for discontent in contemporary society.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines urgent punk energy with introspective lyrics, establishing a distinct voice in the post-punk revival.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving tempo that remains consistent through the first five tracks, creating a sense of urgency.
- Each song features jagged guitar riffs layered over steady drumming, contributing to a raw and aggressive sound.
- Lyrically, the album explores themes of disillusionment and introspection, often delivered with a spoken-word style in the verses.
- The final track shifts to a slower tempo, providing a contrast to the preceding intensity and allowing for a reflective conclusion.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short bursts of raw energy
- urban disillusionment themes explored
- quick-paced tracks for urgency
- frantic yet pointed lyrical content
- for late-night contemplation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer extended musical journeys
- seek polished, radio-friendly sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Under Color of Official Right marks Protomartyr's debut album, emerging from Detroit's vibrant underground scene. Released in 2014, it set the stage for their distinctive style that blends post-punk with existential themes, establishing them as a noteworthy voice in contemporary punk rock.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Parquet Courts· Iceage· Ought
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Maidenhead 3:39
- 2 Ain't So Simple 2:18
- 3 Want Remover 2:30
- 4 Trust Me Billy 2:14
- 5 Pagans 1:11
- 6 What the Wall Said 3:11
- 7 Tarpeian Rock 2:03
- 8 Bad Advice 2:41
- 9 Son of Dis 1:09
- 10 Scum, Rise! 2:37
- 11 I Stare at Floors 2:23
- 12 Come & See 3:57
- 13 Violent 1:52
- 14 I'll Take That Applause 2:55
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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