Labels: Don’t Shoot the Messenger – Rooftop Records
Review by: MH
This is a band from Singapore who play emo-ish punk/indie rock and it hints at an appreciation of the 90s bands like Jawbreaker as well as more recent stuff like Title Fight. Maybe even Dowsing if the album title is anything to go by but they play more aggressive indie rock than those guys. There are nine songs here and it is led by raspy vocals and a rawish sound. An early highlight is “Kings In The Back Row” which has a riff reminiscent of the one that Rival Schools used on “Favourite Star”. I am into the lyrics on this one too: “I haven’t seen you in a long time/Do you still keep your kings in the back row?”. There may well be a metaphor that I am missing but I am taking it as being about not seeing someone for ages and wondering whether they still do the same old things – really good song. They maintain a mainly mid-paced sound throughout and I’m enjoying every song on here. “Great Scott” is a little slower and moodier and a cracker. Another slower song called “Etched” is downbeat and regretful and another standout. Solid stuff all round.