Gearing Up For Getting Down,
Shortcut To NewarkForming from the ashes of Shooter McGavin, and amusingly having a vocalist called Dean Ashton (he who signed for Norwich City for £3-million), Shortcut To Newark are one of the early risers in 2005, being amongst the first to release a CD in the new year. I’ve heard many good things about the band, but very little by them, and having signed a deal with Sucka Punch, with a tour with Steriogram in the works, 2005 looks set to be a good year. However, ‘Gearing Up For Getting Down’ left me a little flat and disappointed.
On the face of it it’s very much in the My Awesome Compilation mode, as ‘Understand’ is all soaring vocals and swirling keyboards and has a similar production to MAC’s early material. Difference is, MAC seem to have nailed the catchy chorus and anthemic songs and for the most part Shorcut To Newark flatter to deceive. Sure, there are some pretty good moments here; ‘Fall Apart’ and ‘Daydreaming’ are highlights, especially the former where the vocals remind me of the Alkaline Trio’s Dan Andriano. ‘Looking For A Fight’ is good too. All too often mind you, the band fail to stand out and seemingly drift through the course of 10 songs.
I’m sure Shortcut To Newark will do well this year, bearing in mind they’re on a label with a bit of sway in this country. Picking up some good tours will enable them to cement a strong fanbase and I’m sure this release will gather some good reviews. But for me there’s not enough of their own identity and Shortcut sound like too many other bands that probably do this better already. School report card gives a C+ and the dreaded ‘must try harder’ adage.
www.shortcut2newark.co.uk
Sucka Punch Records
Paul
