Review: 4th N Goal -Turn On the Light EP

Ah, summer time – the time of the year when everything comes to life. Winter’s bitter and harsh days have melted away into sunny skies and warm weather. Days are now spent pool-side or by the lake as you bask in the revitalizing sunlight. Sunburnt faces, cargo shorts, and skaters roam freely on the streets as ice cream trucks slowly crawl through the neighborhoods.  Road trips and cabin jaunts soon become the center of your plans, which are slated to make the most of each passing day. Late evenings may be spent around a bonfire or at a skate park with friends, watching the sun set below the horizon and giving rise to starry nights that leave a youthful twinkle in your eye. You’ve got your bags packed, your skateboard in hand, your money in your pocket, and your keys in hand, but what you’re really missing is a summer soundtrack to blare out of your stereo. Thankfully, Italy’s 4^th N Goal has exactly what your summer ears have been dying to hear. Their new EP, Turn On the Light, is packed with all of the head-bopping riffs and catchy choruses that you need to narrate your summer adventures.

Kicking off this album is “Pickles”, a catchy, bouncy track that exudes nothing but good-old fashioned pop-punk fun in every potent riff.  A fade-in melodic riff steadily rises and explodes into a frenzy of hard-hitting energetic riffs and pulsating percussion that will instantly having you smiling and kicking your feet in the air. Spastic melodic arias and pick-slides abound this track as guitarists Tommy and Dimi weave punctual poppy chords with grooving punk and easycore-infused riffs that are sure to induce maximum foot-stomping and head-bobbing.  Drummer Tommy Poletti executes flawless percussive elements of crashing cymbal play, excellent fills and rolls, and toe-tapping footwork and snare hits that perfectly compliment the rest of the instrumentation as bassist Mike Frutto’s apt licks steadily groove on.  Vocalists Mocho and Sam present a raw and honest quality in their vocal display of smooth and slightly scratchy clean vocals and emphasizing their lyrics with segments of shouts and high-flying harmonies that sail overtop the infectious hail of vibrant and energetic instrumentation as they pour their hearts and souls into each verse.  

Up next is “Red Line Extreme”, another fun-loving track that will groove its way deep into your ears with an amalgamation of punchy riffs and dynamic instrumentation. An extremely brief lick and drum fill quickly erupt into fast-paced airy riffs and driving percussion. Guitarists Tommy and Dimi take a much more poppy approach to their instrumentation, crafting perfect head-bobbing riffs and soaring, spastic melodic overlays and arias that practically bleed youthful exuberance. Tommy Poletti once again flexes his percussive prowess, throwing everything he’s got into every throbbing hit, kick, crash, and expertly-crafted fill that will have you violently head-banging and sending your body soaring through the air. Mocho and Sam audibly throw all of their passion into each verse, adding tasteful harmonies, short spurts of yells, and the occasional accentuation of a gruff, scratchy quality for lyrical emphasis as they flex their commanding vocal dynamics.

Though tracks such as “Pickles” and “Red Line Extreme” showcase the band’s lively musicianship and energetic qualities, 4^th N Goal’s excellent cover of Bring Me the Horizon’s “Drown” is without a doubt the album’s stand-out track. Guitarists Tommy and Dimi replace Bring Me the Horizon’s previously slower, melodic and emotionally dread-filled riffs with invigorating fast-paced punk riffs and charging bursts of melodic licks and solos, and the occasional squealing pinch harmonic to invoke full-body rhythmic spasms that you can’t help but fall in love with. Tommy Poletti also modifies Bring Me the Horizon’s driving percussion, installing faster head-bopping and limb-flailing percussive elements of sharp snare hits and crashing cymbal play as Mike Frutto’s bass licks pop and flourish overtop the heart-racing instrumentation. Mocho and Sam juxtapose layers of excellent cleanly sung harmonies with spasms of gruff yells and shouts to retain the original vocal quality while still giving  the lyrics an audible 4^th N Goal & pop-punk-esque spin on the tonality and delivery. What makes this track truly stand out is the perfect harmony in which the instrumentation and vocal delivery fully thrive in as they give a much more energetic and vivacious approach to a heart-wrenching song. 

The album closes with “Ken Burns”, a lively track that will instantly grip your ears with eye-dilating, commanding instrumentation that will have you singing and flailing along. A powerful eruption of vibrant, fast-paced poppy punk riffage and pounding, quick percussion instantly greet your ears from the moment you press play. Tommy and Dimi take a more punk approach in their instrumentation with quick, palm muted riffs and slamming chords that are accentuated with spastic melodic overlays and soaring, bent notes that retain that fun, exciting, driving pop-punk feeling in their performance.  Tommy Poletti once again wages war against his kit with a series of head-bopping footwork and drumstick-snapping hits, fills and cymbal crashes as Mike delivers a quick infestation of grooving bass licks. Following parallel to the energetic and whiplash-inducing instrumentation are Mocho and Sam’s commanding, relatable lyrics and quick, heartfelt- although sometimes unintelligible- layered vocals as the band drives home the classic, elating pop-punk sense of youthful recklessness that will leave you physically exhausted by the end of the track.

Overall, 4^th N Goal have created one of the most lively pop-punk releases of 2015. The band’s penchant for energetic, vibrant, and vivacious pop-punk instrumentation audibly bleeds throughout the duration of this dynamic EP. Where 4^th N Goal noticeably trips up is in their vocal delivery, which, in tracks such as “Ken Burns” and “Out of Tortillas” can become very muddled and unintelligible.  But where they lack in vocal clarity they excel in instrumental delivery and excellence that very clearly states or accentuates the lyrical and vocal emotion in each track. Pack your bags, grab your skateboard, and head out to the car, because summer’s warmth is upon us, and 4^th N’ Goal’s Turn On the Light EP is the perfect start to a windows-down, pizza-and-road-trip-filled, sunny season.

8.5/10

For Fans Of: Neck Deep, Chunk! No Captain Chunk!, Four Year Strong, Set Your Goals

Katt Hass

Review: The Story So Far- The Story So Far

Get out your cargo shorts, flannels, and order some pizza because The Story So Far has a new album that will knock your pizza sauce stained t-shirt off.

In January 2015 a video was posted “The Story So Far Album Teaser #1" was uploaded on the band's official YouTube channel. The video shows clips of the band members with friends goofing around and having fun. At the end of the video a text-roll appears, saying "We are writing a new record stay tuned...” On February 23, 2015 the band uploaded another video titled “The Story So Far Album Teaser #2” this video features behind the scenes clips, and footage of the boys working on the new album. The text-roll that appeared at the end of this video was "LP 3 Coming Your Way Watch Out World Here We Are Not Afraid Of The Light." On February 26 the band Tweeted saying the album was finished. In April they released a few singles; on May 11 the band posted a stream of the entire album to their website and the album is set to be released on May 19.

The  self-titled album begins with the track “Smile” a heavy opener and a testament to conformity with lyrics like “Tell me how you fit in and where do you begin? Do you toast when they toast? Do you sin when they sin? ” Up next is “Heavy Gloom”, a track in which frontman Parker Cannon hopes that his ex feels lonely without him and reflects on her actions towards him. “Phantom” – an instant The Story So Far classic- features mellow guitar melodies and Cannon’s soft crooning. The final track, “Stalemate” is a surprisingly milder track and, though not as heavy as the opening track, is a good, strong  finale to the album.

This album is not too different from the albums before; it could even be considered as “Under Soil and Dirt” part two. The album themes remain the same as the ones before: each track revolves around a bad ex-girlfriend and Cannon executes his lament well with his vocal gymnastics. The album was hyped up a lot to be somewhat anti-climactic, as the sound of the album and the lyrics were familiar to fans.  However, the album is still a good listen, and The Story So Far did a great job with their new lyrical material.  New and old The Story So Far fans will appreciate this album and it will surely be one of the favorite pop-punk albums of the summer.  (Konstantina Buhalis)

Favorite Tracks: Phantom, Nerve, Smile, and Heavy Gloom

7/10

For Fans Of:  Knuckle Puck, Man Overboard, The Wonder Years

Review: Tidus Is Alive - Stuck In Limbo

We are kinetic and directional creatures that thrive on structure and routine. We devise schedules, maps, and other micro-manageable sequences in an effort to establish a maintainable and customizable order that best fits our ever-expanding aspirations. That’s why the feeling of being “stuck in limbo” can unleash a path of devastation that can derail even the most ambitious and fluid of dreamers.  For those of you who have the luxury of never experiencing such a phenomenon, being stuck in limbo can best be equated to being stuck in a form of stasis within an ambiguous void.  It’s as if you exist on a different plane that floats between two realms. Most people become exhausted, broken, and drained from the lack of directionality, thereby rooting themselves to the immobilizing ground upon which they stand. A rare few can recognize their situation and, despite all odds, create something from it. Among these driven few stands Denny Ranno’s solo project, Tidus Is Alive.  The one-man band’s debut EP, Stuck In Limbo, features a masterful blend of pop-punk and post-hardcore that is bursting at the seams with a contagious amount of energy.

The album opens with “Step Aside”, an explosive track that burns with an undying amount of energetic musicality. A rumbling fade-in intro fast approaches before trampling your ears with a stampede of explosive riffs and pulsating percussion. Denny Ranno’s poppy, energetic riffs flourish and melt into fast-paced riffage and heavy chugging as intermittent melodic overlays and squeals playfully tug at your ears. Pulsating percussion built upon an amazing display of cymbal play and footwork adds a driving energy and rhythmic intensity that will pierce through your soul and captivate your eardrums. Ranno utilizes a brilliant blend of raw mid screams and clean vocals to make emotive verses, catchy choruses, and allow his overall vocal delivery to do exactly what it was meant to do: soar freely. Enthusiastic and lively breakdowns frequent this track, featuring a dynamic display of unison-shouted vocals and screams against flawless instrumentation. The sheer amount of energy, passion, and masterful technicality and musicality that abounds throughout the whole duration of this track earns “Step Aside” its place as the album’s absolute stand-out track.

Up next is “Checkmate”, a groovy, anthemic track that will infect your ears with passionate riffs and emotive verses. A groovy mixture of melodic riffs, grooving bass lines, and bouncy percussion immediately greet your ears from the moment you press play. Melodic chords wrestle back and forth with deep, thundering chugging to create a vibrant aural balance of harmony and discord. Lightly sustained melodic licks and driving percussion gently nip at your ears as they sail overtop the hail of emotive, fast-paced riffage. Ranno puts a primary spotlight on his clean vocals with tasteful hints of raw screams accenting his smooth, emotive vocal delivery. Spastic interludes of heavy riffage are tastefully scattered about before reaching culmination in the form of a groovy, mosh-inducing, enthusiastic breakdown that is guaranteed to produce massive head-banging to the point of whiplash with every well-placed chug, hit, kick, and scream.   

The album closes with “Robin”, a ballad that best showcases Denny Ranno’s softer side as he flexes his pop-punk prowess. Heavy riffs quickly fade in and take on a new form of melodic, toe-tapping chord progressions decorated with flecks of sustained notes and melodic overlays. Driving percussion is neither overpowering nor dull as every one of Ranno’s aptly crafted kicks, hits, and crashes perfectly complements the rest of the instrumentals. Once again, Ranno showcases his clean vocals and adds harmonies, muted effects, and sparsely-placed screams to give his vocal delivery a more emotive, relatable quality. What truly makes this track special is Ranno’s attention to smaller details to give the track more depth, such as an interlude in which sung notes replace distorted riffs, the utilization of lightly-crafted harmonies, and brief instrumental pauses for a more balanced, emotive affectation. The result is the kind of catchy, fun pop-punk ballad that your ears so desperately need.

Overall, TIdus Is Alive has created one of the most energetic split-genre releases of this year. Stuck In Limbo, despite its title, is the farthest thing from being stuck in limbo- it very clearly boasts its liveliness and fluidity with every energetic verse and catchy chorus. What’s most outstanding about this album- besides the fact that it was created in its entirety by one musician- is Ranno’s instrumental and vocal attention to detail to give the album the kind of depth that other pop-punk bands merely dream of. If Tidus Is Alive can create such vibrant musicality from being stuck in limbo, just imagine what the band can create once freed from such an uneasy and static state of being.

8.9/10

For Fans Of: Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!, A Day to Remember, Hero To Human, The Day After, Well Planned Attack

Katt Hass

Review: The Gospel Youth - Kids EP

Do you miss the early 2000’s pop-punk? The anthemic ballads that fused punk with pop-rock style? Or driving down the road, blasting the melodic, soft riffs of your youth? If nostalgia has been hitting you hard, then look no further than The Gospel Youth. The 3-piece outfit from Brighton, UK has just released their debut 3-track EP, Kids, and they’ve packed it full of catchy riffs that will have you bouncing and bopping your head as you sing your heart out to the sound of your youth.

“Mixtape” kicks off the EP with a display of the bands soft, anthemic sound.  Melodic soft riffs are paired with smartly implemented percussion, creating an overall bouncy sound that you so desperately crave. It’s like All Time Low blended with New Found Glory, and the result is a driving, poppy melodic sound that will easily get stuck in your head for days.

Next up is “Kids”, where The Gospel Youth flexes their pop-rock prowess in this equally-as-catchy song. Light, bouncy riffs and banging drums mark this extremely catchy track that will have you jumping and singing along to well-crafted verse & chorus.

We end with “H.L.B.”, a track in which there is no mistaking the band’s softer pop-rock side in this power ballad. Light melodies are set in the background of their vocalist’s heartfelt words, creating an overall empowering sound that will have you singing and swaying along. 

Overall, this EP is a real catch. The Gospel Youth set my nostalgia sensors ablaze in every song and every verse. You can hear and feel the energy and raw emotion put into every note and every word. Kids is the college refresher course on early 2000's pop-punk/rock blend that you need for the sound you truly miss. You absolutely should keep your eyes and ears on these guys, regardless if you’re looking for a nostalgic reminder of a past sound that you truly enjoyed.

8.9/10

http://thegospelyouth.bandcamp.com/album/kids-ep

The Gospel Youth is graciously offering their EP for free on their bandcamp page. You’d be foolish to not have this EP in your music library.

For fans of: All Time Low, New Found Glory, Since Forever

Katt Hass

Review: We Stole the Weekend- We Stole the Weekend EP

               

Out of New Jersey bursts forth We Stole the Weekend, an explosive 4-piece pop-punk/post-hardcore fusion band. Their debut EP packs a punch that will have you head banging and jumping around like a 22-year-old at a basement-dwelling easycore show.

               

When I heard they were a pop-punk/post-hardcore group, I was a bit skeptical. Typically this kind of genre melding can go horribly south- often times you can hear the rift between the band members as they draw from different influences. Upon listening, I soon learned that this was not the case whatsoever. The fluidity with which both genres are blended by all of the members is phenomenal and perhaps the mark of true musicianship.

“Didn’t Mean to Offend” kicks off the album and clearly displays the band’s instrumental influence from post-hardcore. Driving percussion from “core” drums and melodic riffs mark this song.  Vocally, I was blown away.  Melodic guitar riffs and driving “core”-esque drums are paired with David Vinder’s raw vocals, creating a musical time-warp that is reminiscent of old Taking Back Sunday. Backing screams are lightly added in,  which introduces the bands easycore edge.

“Realistic Expectations” follows next, in which the band flexes their pop-punk muscle. Vinder’s vocals are clearly pop-punk influenced, sounding like a blend of Anthony Green and Joe Taylor of Knuckle Puck. The instrumentals, particularly the guitars, are in a style similar to that of Such Gold.

Up next is “Alligator Soup”, another display of pop-punk might, with a heavier twist that produces a sound much like Four Year Strong’s, but with an early 2000s alternative rock twist. Riffage in this song is heavier and features a tastefully light melodic solo from the lead guitarist.

Following that is “Before the Storm”, a pop-punk ballad that features light variations in percussion, such as handclapping and tambourine. The outro, however, is where the lead guitarist flexes his post-hardcore might with a melodic overlay that reminds you of their split-genre fusion style and ultimately sets up for their next song, “Falling Out With Susan”.

“Falling Out With Susan” is where the band returns to their heavier roots- lyrically and instrumentally, with brilliant post-hardcore/alternative rock riffs giving the listener a return to their melodic tonality (complete with a slammin’ breakdown!)  

The last track “Bill Does Something Else” is definitely where the listener can hear the band’s multiple influences crash together.  Vinder combines both styles to create a vocally diverse song that screams “fusion.” The instrumentals alone are proof, too.  Pop-Punk riffs merge to fast-paced punk riffs and are crafted in duality with the melodic post-hardcore style that makes for an almost alternative/arena-rock style, but not quite.  But they make it work musically. Several styles collide with one another, making for a musically diverse and nearly unclassifiable-yet enjoyable- sound. It’s Punk-fusion mayhem in this song, and it works.  If anything, this is probably their most interesting track. It’s as if We Stole The Weekend couldn’t decide what style to pick, so they played all of them, and made it work.           

       

Overall, We Stole the Weekend is a pretty exceptional fusion band. They definitely pull off the fusion of genres as they carve out their own unique niche within the genres while clearly paying homage to their respective influences. Their standout tracks are definitely “Didn’t Mean to Offend”, “Realistic Expectations”, and “Bill Does Something Else”. The album as a whole, however, is absolutely worth a listen. This EP won’t just steal your weekend; it’ll steal your speakers, your train of thought, and your hearing.  And we’re glad to let these guys take it all. This is a pretty exceptional album, especially for a debut EP in such an overcrowded mix of genres. I can’t wait to see what these guys do next in the future.

9/10

https://www.facebook.com/WeStoleTheWeekend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVN8sPYFLO0

The band is offering their EP up for free on their Facebook page. I recommend downloading it and giving it a listen. 

Katt Hass