Skyboys Vs Highscalers, Various Artists
This, the first release from Brand New Hero (www.brandnewhero.com) contains nineteen tracks from some really quite good new bands, including three unsigned UK acts. The launch party saw these three bands playing live, with Shuriken being the most impressive on the night but as everyone knows, hearing a band live is wholly different to listening to a CD...
Lucky 7 open the album with 'Come Monday', an enjoyably poppy song with lashings of melody and chunky power chords. It may be somewhat predictable but acts as the ideal precursor for Agent 51's 'Raised By Wolves', which could be the Lawrence Arms if you close your eyes and think hard enough. It's only when 'Desperate' by Suberban Legends kicks in that this collection takes flight. This sunny, Busdrivers/RBF style ska track is just what everyone needs on a shitty Monday morning to brighten themselves up. Full of bouncy harmonies lead by a proficient brass section, this song raises the bar.
Brodie contributed two songs, the best being 'When I'm With You', which sounds like a lighter Bad Religion crossed with The Ataris. It's high octane, saccharine power punk which characterises the entire collection and is exemplarised by 'Millionaire By Now' by Weak At Best. The Fonzarellies take a harder angle, with the abrasive and aggressive 'Won't Say It Again', all harsh verses and melodic choruses.
'Arch Nemesis' is a powerful exercise in melody from Shuriken, a band who I think everyone will be hearing a lot more of in the coming months. It's very early-Ataris, with the high pitched vocals being complimented well by the chugging guitar work. Unfortunately, Sula's effort 'Redeye' is nothing spectacular, only a technical attempt at a more accessible Tool-esque sound. They've been compared to Incubus, and there is promise, but this song is destined to be skipped over many times. Prove me wrong. The final UK band to be featured is Odd Man Out, and their offering is the impressive 'Wanting More'. I wasn't all too impressed with them live, but hearing this come out of my speakers in a wall of sound I was forced to reconsider their merits. Theirs in an intricate sound, melody and harmony working together a lot better than when I saw them.
I usually can't stand synthesised sounds, but 'Television' by The Reunion Show (and OK Go!) made me rejudge that statement. It's yet another upbeat and positive song, like The Vandals meeting RBf without the horns. Best song of the whole thing is 'Have You Ever' by Side Out, which doesn't deviate from the standard melodic template, but manages to be that much faster and clever than the rest.
This is a fine collection of songs that bodes well for the future of Brand New Hero. I'd have liked to have seen a bit more variety and some more UK bands, but if you're a fan of energetic, upbeat power punk then you can't go wrong with this.
Link: www.brandnewhero.com
Ben
