Album Review: Boston Manor “Saudade”
I believe that record reviews are the collective response of the author’s objective opinion and taste on music in general, combined, however, with some undisputed facts. I could write an essay on how pop punk is the new thing, how so many bands keep coming up into the spotlight with their poppy riffs their angry vocals and their Tele’s, how more and more people indulge in the rejuvenation of this part of punk rock and fill large auditoriums. Boston Manor’s latest album “Saudade” released through the Millennium Falcon of pop punk record labels today, Pure Noise Records, on November 20th of 2015 would fit right in that essay.
11.20.2o15
TRACKLIST
Gone
Trapped Nerve
Asleep at the Wheel
Shade
I have to admit that I have fallen victim to this “new” sound. The Story so Far is practically all I have listened to for this past year and, while a lot of up and coming bands still emphasize on the pop side, it is the heavier and minor chord driven aesthetic that makes this sound now stand out.
Boston Manor from Blackpool, UK deliver sort of a split EP and have understood perfectly how to do it right. Half of the songs are uplifting pop punk tunes and the other half lean towards a darker post hardcore side. The vocals have a steady depressing tone and feel to them, like a less angry Drug Church and the music shoots away accordingly.
There is nothing I don’t like about this record and this band, so I’m very happy it fell right into my lap. At first I thought the opening song is by far the better option on this EP, but I can’t stop listening to the entire thing and the rest of the songs flow very nicely and make for a great twelve minute record. I would maybe like having a bit more screaming and a bit more distortion on the guitars, but that’s just the TSSF influence in my head. The production on the record is perfect in every sense and the record artwork is beautiful.
While I order a physical copy of this EP right now, I will be keeping a close eye out for Boston Manor’s, hopefully eminent, LP.
About the Author
Erik Ghint Athens, Greece PWV role : Reviewer Erik was born and has always lived in Athens, Greece. Terrible place but good weather. Studied law and played music on the side, now is a part time lawyer and part time punk rocker. Split personalities are his thing. Still listens to punk rock after 20 years, loves discovering new bands and is nostalgic about punk rock of the nineties. Diss him about his reviews @ https://www.facebook.com/bandage.punkrock.3
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