For some reason, the UK cannot seem to get the pop-punk game right. While bands like fall Out Boy, Cartel, Hit The Lights et al get lauded over here like the Second Coming, the UK just cannot produce a pop-punk band of this ilk to a similar standard. Fastlane are arguably the best - and there are the likes of Fleeing From Finales who are challenging - but there's a real lack of quality bands of this type. The Honeymoon Suite, however, aim to change those perceptions.
It would be wrong to say the Manchester lads are in the same class as FOB and NFG, but they're certainly an influence and certainly on the right lines - and for a scene lacking in talent right now, that's an encouraging sign. It's important to note that THS are one of those bands that are finding their sound and learning their trade. 'The Matrimony' EP is epically produced, sounds fat and has a couple of choruses to die for. And that's all you need for a pop-punk record. The album's title track is arguably the best, David Moloney sounds a little Patrick Stumpf-esque and the melodies are certainly very Fall Out Boy, the gang vocals especially. This song is certainly the one that competes with their US bretheren.
But that's not to say the band are too influenced by, or rip the Chicago natives off. The Honeymoon Suite have plenty of their own ideas and they come off well, just not quite as well as they do on the excellent first track. 'We'll Drop the Charges...' shows glimpses of genius, but ends up almost tripping over its own ideas by the middle of the song. Again the vocals stand out, as they do on 'Taxi Queues...', a track that's not got the strongest chorus but still sounds nice and meaty. 'The 24' is a cracker too, and while it's no Jack Bauer, you could say it's comparable with a Tony Almeida...
The ideas are all here, and the execution at times is impeccable, but there's just a little something missing that would take this to the next level. I was tied between giving this 7/10 or 8/10 - but the fact they're British swayed me towards the more generous score. The Honeymoon Suite show enough here to suggest they can become big players - on both sides of the pond.
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