Labels: self released
Review by: Andy Malcolm
I have purchased many a record over the years that sounds just like this one. From Hot Water Music to the Gibbons to the many others I had No Idea ship all the way over the ocean to the UK, not to mention the select few over here that had their own stab at the sound. Reunions struggle a little to stand out as their music leans so heavily on a particular vein of punk that has been mined substantially over the past 25 years. Mind you, this is pretty solid. It’s super catchy and anthemic, and if this is your local gruff melodic punk band I am 100% sure they put on a great show and get everyone punching the air in the pit. There’s plenty of HWM meets Springsteen grit, spit and sawdust on offer as Reunions drive through 10 songs in 30 minutes. I suppose it comes down to a few factors really, as it’s not hard to find other music that sounds almost exactly like this, and it’s not difficult either to find the select few bands that are the pinnacle of the style. If Reunions are local to you (San Francisco) then you will probably get more out of it. Or if you haven’t burned yourself out on this sort of thing, then “Winter Heart, Summer Skin” is a spirited example and they should hit the right spot for you. It’s a decent, listenable album, and there’s nothing wrong with it outside of it coming down such a well trodden path.
PS I’m sure the members are looking forward to splitting up so one day they can get back together for the Reunions reunion.