The debut full-length by Cumbrian melodic punks Colt 45 is formed of remastered versions of their previous two EPs in one. Its release follows a recent signing to Visible Noise Records, and work with producer Romesh Dodangoda – the man behind the likes of Funeral for a Friend, Kids in Glass Houses and Save Your Breath.
The melody driven nature of the aforementioned bands is present throughout ‘Coughing Up Confessions’. Tracks such as the standout ‘Happiness is a Dying Art’ are heavily based around the insanely catchy melody, and the album even allows a ballad to rear its head in the form of ‘I’m Drowning Not Waving’. Melody is often the driving force behind the record, and the element that truly pushes it beyond the ordinary.
Conversely, punchy tracks such as the first track proper ‘Everybody Will Let You Down’ and ‘Brick Wall’ are driven by the rockier guitars over the ever-present melodic hooks, and see Colt 45 appealing to fans of more traditional rock as well as tuneful punk.
The penchant for engaging song-writing and frontman Neil Harper’s distinctly gritty vocals help to generate a consistency throughout the record, regardless of the gap between the original recordings of the material. Fundamentally, ‘Coughing Up Confessions’ is a collection of excellent, memorable compositions that are neither confined by pop or punk.
Colt 45’s debut album is not pop-punk, instead injecting melody the same way as the likes of The Menzingers or hints of Rise Against (see ‘The Unspoken Arguments’). Both the ‘Chasing Yesterday’ and ‘Inside The Triangle’ EPs gained attention for the Cumbrian trio, however hearing them as one record clearly demonstrates both their songwriting capacity and their upbeat delivery. ‘Coughing Up Confessions’ is overflowing with hook filled, heavily charged melodic punk, and well worth a listen.
BEN TIPPLE