Since when did Leicester move to Southern California? Despondent sound like a cacophony of late 90s Fat Wreck bands, all spikey guitar riffs and snotty vocals with 100mph drums thrown in for good measure. But by ‘eck, when this lot get it right, do they hit the spot. Although this 10-tracker is over in the flash of an eye, there’s enough here to warrant further inspection. If the band can maybe boost their vocal melodies and write some even catchier songs, we really do have something special on our hands.
Despondent have only been a band for six months, which is astonishing when you hear how accomplished this lot are. The opening track reminds me of Osker mutiliating Green Day, with vocalist Reuben Vaughan putting on his best Billie Joe sneer to set things off on the right foot. What stands out for Despondent above many bands of this ilk is that everything fits perfectly – the drums are fast and furious yet never repetitive, while the vocals are very distinctive. There are plenty of melodies too, although maybe not as many catchy choruses as I’d like – but for a band that’s so young this really is exceptional. ‘Difference = The Same’ reminds me of early Slick Shoes (which, for those who don’t know me, is a really good thing), such is the power of the vocal melodies and the guitar. It’s this song specifically which makes me think this lot can really go far.
It’s not all sweetness and light – some of the songs sound a bit too samey and the sound would be boosted even more with an extra guitar. The basslines aren’t as varied as they could be either; they seem to follow root chord patterns apart from odd breakouts. But these are issues that can be ironed out in time. For the most part, this is a great, fast, melodic punk record. It’s a genre that I grew up with and love dearly and not too many bands nowadays can pull it off as well as Strung Out, NOFX and No Use did almost 10 years ago. (Was it that long ago?!) Those bands actually can’t do it any more, come to think of it. Ah well, maybe this Leicester trio can bring some life back into the genre?
They’re not the finished article, but when Despondent (I really don’t like the name to be honest…) are in full flow they show so much potential it’s unreal. There’s a touch of Osker in Reuben‘s vocals at times and when they really push the boat out, with guitar and drums flying, they sound like Slick Shoes at their best. Certainly ones to watch, if the band can iron out a few things and work on their choruses and melodies, then they could be on the verge of something rather splendid.
www.despondentrock.tk
Paul