Before we go on let us draw a line. As the more astute amongst you will be aware Advantage used to be known as Grown At Home, but with ‘Future Echoes’, the second release under this new moniker, it’s clear that ‘used to’ is the operative phrase. This latest release takes another two steps away from the bands previous sound leaving only bare remnants of ska-punk behind. So, with that we must draw a line under the chapter titled Grown At Home and read on for something a bit different.
Advantage‘s ‘debut’ EP was essentially a dose of breakneck power pop (that’s the very phrase I used to describe those three tracks back in March) and it’s more of the same here. The title track opener wastes no time in galloping off in a dust of quick guitars and even quicker drums, throwing in a change of pace here and there. For about five seconds “Something To Say” sounds like it’s going to bust some 70’s stoner-rock chops before a volley of brass leads into the sort of bouncy vibe reserved for children’s birthday parties hosted by a burger-wielding clown. Closer, “The Fear” (no, it’s not a Lily Allen cover) is a little different, the vocals taking more prominence during somewhat subdued verses before those playful chorus hooks find a way back into play.
As a whole you could probably brand ‘Future Echoes’ as pop-punk/pop-rock (whichever) but the presence of the brass section does make it a little more conspicuous than most. And it’s not a brass section simply lifted from a ska band, there’s a big band feel here, albeit a small feel. Let’s call it big band in waiting. Actually, the bands own description is fairly apt: brass city rockers. There’re some pretty decent rock riffs sitting in there (see “Something To Say”), huddled closely to those horns.
Despite this being a solid enough record it still doesn’t feel quite the finished article. The foundations are set (polished pop-punk here we come) but a little more growth and identity probably needs to be developed. A little ramping-up of the brass might be favourable (we’re not talking carnivalesque obtuseness, just that little something to prick the ears). The risk is that a move towards pop-punk could result in the band being lost within the myriad of others playing that particular strain of music. The trick is to be just that much different for people to pay attention. As it stands ‘Future Echoes’ is, at the very least, another respectable offering that’s more than capable of getting you out of your seat for a bit of a swing.
Alex