There was a great deal of hype around this album, but when it really kicks in, it seems like we have a hardcore band , or a once-hardcore band, playing pop-punk. I mean if it worked for Turnstille, then perhaps there is a chance they can get on Saturday Night Live as well. I'm sure there will be cucks in the industry who are defending this kind of selling out. It reminds me of the Mighty Might Bosstones. Thank god there are no horns. It's way too happy for me. The title track is even worse in this regard than the opening track. Thankfully, this album clocks in at around twenty minutes, so I don't have to endure a great deal of this.
There is more grit to the bassline of "Flex Your Head," which does lean more in a hardcore direction. It is more like old-school hardcore, which I can appreciate. Then they are back to the pop punk for "Interstate Love Affair" , another song that is not angry enough. "Forever Alone" finds their balls. The bass line once again saves the day. Gang vocals and pounding drums work well; not sure why they can't stick to what works. "Trouble in Paradise" works a little better; the pop-punk elements are balanced out, which feels likea better compromise.
The balance of the two sonic polarities is more tenuous on " Perfect Stranger" which is at its heart a breakup song of sorts, so it's like a cross between the Dropkick Murphys and Blink-182, which might appeal to punk poseurs who grew up in the 90s. "Sincerely Yours" is higher energy. But also too hopeful. I will give this an 8 as it was a little disppointing for me as it got so much hype behind it, well made ,sounds good, just not my thing.
