Flash Forward - Endings = Beginnings

Labels: Uncle M Music

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 09 Dec 2022

Tracklist:

1. Paradise

2. Young Blood (feat: Between You & Me)

3. Bloodshot Eyes

4. Endings

5. Drowning Underwater (feat: We Were Sharks & Breathe Atlantis)

6. Over You (feat: As December Falls)

7. Out Of Love

8. Cotton Candy Clouds

9. Criminals

10. Saviour

11. Beginnings

12. Heartclash

13. No Use

Germany isn't a country you think of when pop-punk springs to mind. This was the most recent Haulix+ promo to drop into my inbox and the first time I'd heard of Flash Forward. Endings = Beginnings was released via German label Uncle M Music in December of last year. I don't know a lot about the band but this is the latest release to follow their 2018 Uncle M Live Session and their 2017 full-length Revolt before that.

Flash Forward combine synths with pop-punk according to the promo write-up. I think this may be a bit outside of my wheelhouse but we’ll see. On hitting play on album opener ‘Paradise’, I stand by my earlier comment as this sounds a lot cleaner than I’m used to. ‘Young Blood’ features Australian pop-punk band Between You & Me, another new name to me. Normally bands feature an individual but not here. Again, it’s a lot more pop than pop-punk but it’s a little more hard-hitting this time, thanks to the punchier guitars and percussion. 

I can see the appeal with Flash Forward, especially If you’re not quite ready to make the jump to something heavier and ‘Bloodshot Eyes’ has that Franz Ferdinand/recent-era Fall Out Boy vibe going on, which isn’t bad at all. It’s just a little safe if I’m being honest. ‘Endings’ is the first (half) title track and it’s an instrumental one, including programmed beats. ’Drowning Underwater’ feature contributions from Canadian pop-punk band We Were Sharks and German metalcore band Breathe Atlantis, and I think I’m slowly starting to understand what Flash Forward are trying to achieve.

The hooks that make up ‘Over You’ are pretty infectious, albeit subtle and the addition of UK alternative band As December Falls is a nice touch, though they could be a bit more prominent in the mix maybe. From here on out, it’s all about Flash Forward. ‘Out Of Love’ is another sing-along anthem that conjures up bands like You Me At Six and Biffy Clyro (maybe?). It’s certainly a feel-good song. When their sound is punchier, like in the opening bars of ‘Cotton Candy Clouds’, there’s a lot to admire. The rest of the song is catchy and very enjoyable too, but it misses that crunch that comes from a grittier approach. Again, I’m being a bit overly critical as this album may end up being a grower when ‘Criminals’ kicks in, with it’s soothing melodic tones. 

’Saviour’ is another song filled with electronic textures that actually overule Flash Forward’s attempts at post-hardcore/punk. I guess that’s the crux of this release for me. It’s very listenable and I can see it’s appeal for sure, but as the second (half) title track ‘Beginnings’ come and goes, it reminds me that I’m starting to feel my age a bit now. Just as I say that though ‘Heartclash’ does it’s bit to prove that there is some pop-punk residing in Flash Forward’s repertoire. It’s subtle but it’s there in parts. Thirteenth and final song ‘No Use’ owes itself once again to You Me At Six. As comparisons go, that may be a lazy one but I stand by it as a guide for those who haven’t heard Flash Forward before.

The tags used to describe Flash Forward’s sound on Uncle M’s Bandcamp page include post-hardcore and skate punk, but there’s not really a great deal of either coming through on the record. I think I need to give it more time and space to sink in. As I said at the top of this review, it’s not really my wheelhouse, but I feel that it’s due wider praise elsewhere. 

You can stream and purchase the album digitally via Uncle M's Bandcamp page below:-

Vinyl copies and other merch can be ordered here - https://shop.uncle-m.com/en/artists/flash-forward/

Flash Forward - https://www.facebook.com/flashforwardband

Uncle M Music - https://www.facebook.com/uncle.m.music

The Raging Nathans - Still Spitting Blood

Labels: Rad Girlfriend Records/Brassneck Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 21 Nov 2022

Tracklist:

1. Head In A Hole

2. And You Know I Know

3. Fucked Olympia

4. Doubt

5. The Lime Pit

6. Still Spitting Blood

7. Nothing I Can Do

8. The Answer (Smoke 'Em)

9. Waste Of Time

10. This World

It's been too long since I've reviewed any pop-punk on here. Thankfully, Josh from Dayton, Ohio (USA) label Rad Girlfriend Records and also of The Raging Nathans contacted be about the band's new album Still Spitting Blood, which is due for release on November 21st. The Raging Nathans themselves are a long-running US punk band that have been releasing music now for about a decade, with this being their fifth full-length album.

This is fast and melodic punk from the band that call themselves “The last great punk band”. ‘Head In A Hole’ starts off without a second thought and every member gives it 100%. The percussion leads the way and it drags the pogoing bass, the up-tempo guitars and the high-octane vocals with it. When similar bands I used to listen to as a teen have withered away or become a shadow of their former selves in recent years, bands like The Raging Nathans are really important and they prove exactly why on ‘And You Know I Know’. Aside from feeling nostalgic, there’s also excitement about what’s to come in the future from this sub-genre of punk. Hopefully this album will lead the way.

There’s no need to over-analyse things though as flying headlong into ‘Fucked Olympia’ brings out a proper smile and the guitar/vocal harmonies are so sweet that it’s easy to forget we’re about to hit the midst of autumn/winter where I am in the UK. Fast and Furious without the fury, ‘Doubt’ is an anthem that proves why The Raging Nathans should be way more well know than they are currently, I mean, it’s crazy to think that Neck Deep started releasing music around the same time and look where they’ve got to. I know punk music isn’t all about fame and fortune (in fact far from it) but I think these guys deserve a thicker end of the wedge given their quality.

Injustices aside, that feel good feeling is back in spades on ‘The Lime Pit’. In fact, just add some brass and this could be Less Than Jake. There’s the same real life commentary about modern society that gives both bands a true grittiness. The title track ‘Still Spitting Blood’ is as gnarly as the name suggests and is the closest thing to hardcore (in terms of anger as opposed to harsh vocals) that the album contains. It’s over very quickly as you’d expect but leaves a hell of an impact. It leads the way to ‘Nothing I Can Do’, which sees The Raging Nathans rejoice in the pop-punk they know and play so well. It seems more mid-paced but it’s not, so don’t be fooled. Catchy as hell!

Before you know it, you’re deep into the album’s second half and ‘The Answer (Smoke ‘Em)’  grabs you with it’s sing-along melodies and genuine realness. As much as I try to adequately describe this album, it’s far better if you listen to it yourself when it’s officially released soon. Penultimate song ‘Waste Of Time’ bemoans the drudgery of everyday life in a perfect way. With that being said though, it also exhibits exactly why The Raging Nathans do what they do. Punk music is a vocation as opposed to something that can be turned into a commodity for those wanting a quick buck. 

The album ends with ‘This World’, which is delivered with the same headfirst approach as the album’s opener. Ten songs lasting just over twenty minutes from a band that have honed their craft so well, they’re impossible to overlook. I’ve been in high spirits recently because of some timely life choices. Hearing this album adds to my buoyant mood. It’ll do the same for you too.

You can stream four of the songs that will appear on Still Spitting Blood below via Rad Girlfriend Records, where it's also available to pre-order on vinyl or digitally:-

You can also pick up vinyl copies from UK label Brassneck Records below:-

https://brassneckrecords.bigcartel.com/

The Raging Nathans - https://www.facebook.com/TheRagingNathans

Rad Girlfriend Records - https://www.facebook.com/radgirlfriendrecords

Brassneck Records - https://www.facebook.com/brassneckrecords

The Homecoming - Chasing Ghosts

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: Digital

Release Date: 31 Aug 2018

Tracklist:

1. The Waiting Game

2. Darling, Dearest, Dead.

3. Coming Down

4. Neverafter

5. Autopsy

Here's another band that I stumbled across on Bandcamp. The Homecoming is a punk quartet from Chicago (Illinois, US) and "Chasing Ghosts" is their latest release. Taking inspiration from many of the current crop of well established alt-rock/pop-punk bands, they've been plying their trade since forming in 2016. I've been unable to find their full discography anywhere, so apologies for not being able to provide further info. 

This is typically American sound punk (unsurprisingly) that would be at home on any major radio/tv station or at similarly big music festival. EP opener The Waiting Game is a mid-paced number with all of the clean trappings you’d expect. The Homecoming sound mature and assured though, not just like some kids aping their idols. For anybody reading this who ventured to Slam Dunk Festival in the UK over the weekend just gone, this might just rekindle fond memories. Darling, Dearest, Dead. is really well-written and the guitar work is spot on. Yes it’s inoffensive but that’s the whole point. They’re not being too clever and clearly know their sound.

The vocal melodies on Coming Down are super clean thanks to the mixing/mastering and they match the big instrumentation too. It’s a bit cheesy at times but that’s no reason to side-step it. There are times when heavy music gets a bit too much and we’re all suckers for melody really. The pop hooks continue on Neverafter, which is a jam made specially for the summer sun and carefree days. There is a slightly harder edge to it on a couple of occasions but this is erased by the gang singing and misty-eyed lyrics that make it poignant. 

As one of their influences, I’m yet to here any AFI in their music though final song Autopsy does have more than a nod to Alkaline Trio, which is fine. At risk of pigeonholing The Homecoming, they’ve settled on a sound that’s familiar and that works well for them, They play their music with genuine passion and expression, which is all you can ask. The current US Pop-punk scene is a big old rabbit hole to explore, but “Chasing Ghosts” is a great place to start.

You can stream and purchase "Chasing Ghosts" from all the major digital outlets. If you pay for it via Bandcamp below, all of the money received will be donated to Planned Parenthood and ACLU in the US, following the recent abhorrent laws that were passed making abortion illegal in Alabama and Georgia:-

The Homecoming - https://www.facebook.com/thehomecomingUS/

Downcast - Downcast EP

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 11 Jan 2019

Tracklist:

1. Anthurium

2. Sombre

3. Window Seat

4. 2013

5. I'm Sorry

New year, new band, new review. 2019 will see the debut self-titled EP from UK pop-punk band Downcast and I'm lucky enough to be one of the first people to review it. The four-piece only formed in mid-2018 but worked hard to write and record an EP, as well as organise a run of shows in support of the release at the end of January and into February, alongside fellow pop-punks Who Saves The Hero?. "Downcast" will be released on CD and also across all major digital platforms on 11 January.

UK pop-punk’s in pretty solid health as we fly into 2019 with Neck Deep’s star rising and plenty of other up and coming bands following on underneath. Downcast will be joining them upon the release of their debut EP and they’ll slot in perfectly, with catchy pop-punk that’s gruffer than you might think. Opener Anthurium is the best introduction to this new band and it’s filled with melody and riffs. It was also chosen as the band’s first single and bands don’t choose to reveal weak songs as their first singles, so you know it's strong!

Their songs tell a story and Sombre proves this with sensitive lyrics and an acoustic delivery that tugs on the heartstrings. Vocal harmonies are accentuated by it and there’s a positive message that comes out of it. There’s no filler on this EP and Downcast has chosen to keep things succinct. Window Seat is an up-tempo number that plays on their British roots. It’s so catchy you’ll be humming it without realising after a few spins. 

Twin-guitar melodies are normally the preserve of rock/heavy metal bands but Downcast use them to great effect as they open penultimate song 2013. The melodies give way to a solid punk song with chunky riffs and one that will be great in a live setting. There’s a true maturity about EP closer I’m Sorry. One that’s beyond the band’s years and considering “Downcast” is their debut, they show no signs of a band that need to develop over time. 

With it becoming easier and easier for bands to release music, it’s still hard to ensure it reaches the right audience. Downcast’s approach and music will definitely earn them the chance to leapfrog some of their peers and gain greater fans in 2019. 

You can watch their latest video for the song I'm Sorry on Youtube below:-

CD copies can be pre-ordered from their webstore here - https://downcastuk.bigcartel.com/

Downcast - https://www.facebook.com/downcastUK/