If there's one pop-punk label that does everything right in 2009, it's Run For Cover Records. And "pop-punk" is restrictive. None of the bands this small, independent Boston-based label has signed was ever bad. In their ranks have been names now big such as Crime In Stereo, This Is Hell and This Time Next Year. And their current artists are just today's best upcoming pop-punk (and affiliated) bands: Fireworks, Transit, Agent, Death Is Not Glamorous, Tigers Jaw, Title Fight,... It's not a surprise if they just added New-Jersey young band Man Overboard to their roster.
Man Overboard is composed of former members of great band Front Page. They were first called Home Again before changing their name and releasing a very promising first EP called 'Hung up on nothing' that I highly recommand you to get as it features one of 2008's best pop-punk hits, the amazing 'Love your friends, die laughing'. All of this to say that their recent signature on Run For Cover is joined by the release of a new three-track digital EP, 'Dahlia'. To be short, it's just the pop-punk people in their early 20's loved and are dying to hear again in today's bands. There's a big Blink-182 influence (even in the band's name), a lot of Saves The Day ('Can't slow down' and 'Through being cool' era) and Jimmy Eat World too (the intro of 'Montrose'), but it still feels very modern and fresh. They have a way with catchy lines that makes their choruses unforgettable (the new hit 'Montrose' and its "Do you take pictures off the wall / When you know I'm coming to your room?"). I also love that their few heavier riffs are not immediate calls for mosh parts but rather great moments to nod your head to. The vocals are juvenile yet perfectly in tune ('They don't make 'em like they use to') and Jesse Cannon's production (Saves The Day, Lifetime) is nothing but perfect. This band really is for nostalgic pop-punk kids. 'Five girls pizza' even has a Taking Back Sunday's 'Tell all your friends' feeling. How could we ask for more?
Man Overboard make young pop-punk for older listeners. Nothing sugar-coated, overproduced, dancing or radio-sized. Just the pop-punk most of us grew up with and desperately miss in today's scene. Well, keep an eye on this band. Their motto is "Defend pop-punk". Enough said.
4/5
Recommanded if you like:
Fireworks, This Time Next Year, The Wonder Years
Check also:
Such Gold, Save Your Breath, History
www.myspace.com/manoverboardnj
(Run For Cover Records, 2009)
Nb.: You can stream the EP here.
Recommanded if you like:
Fireworks, This Time Next Year, The Wonder Years
Check also:
Such Gold, Save Your Breath, History
www.myspace.com/manoverboardnj
(Run For Cover Records, 2009)
you forget the part about this label where they delay releases for months at a time, don't package records the right way, send out records without real inserts, don't get actual vinyl pressed (just tests) for preorders, or just outright flake out on sending you your stuff. great bands on this label, but the people who run it don't know what they're doing. it won't be too long before a lot of these bands drop from the label.
ReplyDeleteI've heard about that, it sucks but I've personally never had problems with them...
ReplyDelete