If there was ever a band who owed their careers to the internet, San Diego’s Lucky 7 are it. Having become infamous on MP3.com for being one of the most downloaded bands ever, the foursome have been heard on computers across the globe. But for some reason the band have not managed to transfer this success from the screen to your stereo and world domination has failed them thus far. And while this brand spanking new self-titled album is unlikely to shoot Allen Colaneri’s crew into the pop-punk big leagues just yet, Lucky 7 prove that they are quite possibly one of the best pop-punk bands around that you’re yet to discover.
With a bouncy, fun-packed sound that belongs in the sun, the So-Cal heroes haven’t done anything too drastic with this release. There’s no change of sound or style, so if you are already a fan it’s more of the same – which I don’t think is a bad thing at all. Following on from where many pop-punk bands have boldly gone before, girls and good times are the order of the day, as 15 songs are served up a treat. Opener ‘Where Are You?’ sets the standard nicely with a fast and furious riff that is bound to be a live favourite. The intro to ‘Come Monday’ reminds me of Californian neighbours Audio Karate, with a nice clean guitar sound and a melodic verse/chorus/verse structure. ‘Be The One’ crunches out of the speakers with drums flailing around and guitars bouncing off the walls. Again there is melody in abundance and with a chorus to sing along too, Lucky 7 are on to a sure-fire winner.
‘One Track Mind’ is a mid-paced singalong treat, while ‘Face The World’ comes across a bit like Third Eye Blind at their simplest. It’s all a bit more thoughtful and clever, but far less rocking. But then this is followed up with the immense ‘My Father’s Song’ which is a huge standout and one of my favourite tracks. Milking the ‘my dad left me when I was a kid’ subject is about as original as a Staind record, but the melody is perkier than Jenna Jameson’s assets and is just as likely to grab your attention. First single ‘California Girl’ has a video which features Doritos girl Ali Landry, and while it is a good song it’s a little too obvious for my liking. With a subliminal message which screams ‘MTV’, it seems too polished and contrived to be a genuine radio hit. Still, I guarantee you’ll be singing along.
‘Gray Summer Day’ and ‘Crash and Burn’ are also a bit generic, but by the same token aren’t bad songs, while ‘Runaway’ turns things up a notch again – hinting a little bit at cheeky monkey’s A. But the band are at their blistering best when they go at it hammer and tongs and the forceful ‘Princess Dreams’ is awesome, with Robert Garbowski’s drumming really coming across well. Allen’s songwriting also seems to fit better when the band go all out to rock as opposed to when the band fit a little more into the dreaded ’emo’ category. The album ends on a high note with the joyful ‘Last Winter’, which surprisingly comes across a bit like Appease… either way, the song rocks and it’s a fine way to end the album.
If you want to be scathing ‘Lucky 7‘ are hardly original and for the non-pop punk fan there is nothing here that is likely to catch your ear. But there are a dozen or so carefully crafted pop songs offered to you on a plate and combine this with a highly energetic live show and you have a band that are well worth checking out. Probably two ‘singles’ short of hitting the big time, Lucky 7 have enough in their arsenal to show they will be around a little bit longer yet.
Paul.