It’s fair to say that this latest release from American Steel is going to surprise more than a few people. Making its bed in pure pop-punk ‘Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts’ is far from being a rehash of the bands back-catalogue, a pitfall that so many peers seem to have fallen into. In short, this album is fresh when it could so easy have been plagued with staleness.
From the off “Emergency House Party” firmly sets heels into the poppier side of the punk-rock spectrum. Together with the title track you’d be forgiven for mistaking this for The All American Rejects five years ago. “Tear the Place Apart” is a sing-along/ clap-along foray that would drag even the most unwilling onto the dance floor, whilst “Your Ass Ain’t Laughing Now”, with its multiple vocals and mega chorus, pretty much stands up as one of your all time party tunes. It all harks back to the ‘golden’ age of EpiFat, all California sunshine and melodic hooks.
“The Blood Gets Everywhere”, “Finally Alone” and “Meals and Entertainment” collectively make a suggestive wink at Alkaline Trio. Being that the two bands toured together in 2008 it’s probably not that surprising, but it’s an influence that seeps through this recording but hasn’t previously been on show. It’s worth noting also that the latter two tracks take a softer approach that actually manages to successfully close out the record when such a move could easily have finished things off so flatly.
Undoubtedly this is a release that can stand on its own without the crutch of the bands previous material, but that’s not to say it’s a complete departure. “Lights Out” sounds just about as though it could have been lifted from earlier records, and “Where You Want to Be”, with its distinctive vocals, recalls the diversity apparent previously. Production wise the album’s also a throwback. Certainly not the pristine polished affair you’d associate with today’s crop of pop-punkers, there’s a character here that hints at bedroom recording as much as it does studio. In its imperfection it generates more impact.
Strangely, for a band that spent two releases on the pop-punk label (Lookout!), this is the most pop-punk release to date. If you were a fan previously you should appreciate the variation. Granted it’s not a massive change but there are alterations none the less. If you’ve never listened to American Steel don’t feel as though you’ll be unable to catch up on a 14 year history: this is a stand alone record that has more than enough to impress.
Alex