It is always reassuring to hear decent new young bands on CD or at a gig and North Eastern upstarts ‘First Time’ are no different. I’m sure everyone at Punktastic towers will agree, you are a little hesitant when playing a CD in a non distinct plastic wallet and a ramshackle press release (Cheers for the essay though boys!) but thankfully the four piece convey all they need to say in their music, which thankfully is of a decent standard.
It is nothing astoundingly original, but it does what it sets out to do well, providing easy listening melodies, biting hooks and some extremely promising vocals in the form of frontman Nick Brownlee. Opener ‘Rejections at the Pav Tav’ sets the tone with a light poppy opening as it leads into familiar upbeat territory. ‘Max’ is the complete polar opposite as a much darker, bitter tone dominates the fuzzy chugging riffs and although the song isn’t technically perfect, it just about manages to pull itself off (no pun intended) well. ‘Our Reply to You’ is a song lifted off there previous EP and is a dig at Kris Roe of Ataris fame, and with one quick listen to the lyrics it all becomes painfully clear the guys don’t agree with the direction Roe has took. But as for the song, well it is clear it is an older effort, but never the less is strong enough, if a little generic.
Whether First Time has enough to progress further is up for debate, but they have created a very tidy three tracks that should appeal to a lot of the kids out there, and is certainly a grower.
Jay