Labels: Tiny Engines
Review by: MH
It’s about time I used a massive word like “sophomore” so here we are with State Lines’ sophomore album which Tiny Engines have just put out. I had expected this to be more of a pop punk record but they have slowed things down a little this time and it’s got a bit more indie rock mixed in. It’s decent too. I’m going to use a boring word like “mature” to describe this and the more vulnerable side displayed on their debut “Hoffman Manor” has developed into a more confident and sometimes angry side to the band. Obviously Frankie Stubbs would still tear them to shreds but they have definitely upped the ante on that front – the vocals a bit more ballsy and brash than before. That confidence is clear on the title track which opens proceedings and that familiar raggedness of old is still there. The opening 3 tracks are strong and there is a nicely smooth transition between them that ends with a hiphop sample after “Water Song” which is my pick for best song on the album. The opening palm-muted riff on that track has a hint of the intro to “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by the way. Their previous vulnerability is still evident on “For The Ears” and closing track “Where It’s Warm”, and the spikier punk that was apparent on last year’s 7inch is still there on tracks like “Shit For Brains”. It took me a bit of time to fully appreciate this record but it has been a real grower and this is another fine effort from State Lines.