It’s easy to band about the dreaded ‘the next big thing’ banner to any band that puts out a great record, but Over it deserve the plaudits. ‘Timing Is Everything’ is in my top three pop-punk albums ever; a record choc-full of amazing harmonies and catchy choruses, all backed up by bouncy guitar riffs and hard-hitting drums. On the back of that, ‘Silverstrand’ could hardly fail. Thankfully, it doesn’t. It is slower in pace generally, although the standard of songwriting has improved tenfold. All 12 songs have singalong parts and, if their former labelmates in Yellowcard are anything to go by, 2005 could easily be Over It‘s year.
The Virginian mob don’t do anything particularly new – their verse/chorus/verse style is pretty standard fare, but it’s the execution that really hits the spot for me. From first single ‘Siren on the 101’ to the closing ‘Partner In Crime’, this is a record that will have you singing along from the word go. I’ve been lucky enough to have a copy of this record (originally in unmastered form) for several months and it still sounds as fresh as the day I first listened to it. ‘Siren on the 101’ is classic Over It – hugely singable hooks and a guitar riff that is crunchy yet melodic. It’s a trait the band have nailed over the years and, as each song on this record testifies, it’s impossible not to get sucked in. ‘Waiting’ and ‘Shine’ are examples of the band at a slower pace, before ‘Ignore The Noise’ gets them back to their hard hitting best.
Peter’s vocals are as good as ever, but what stands out most on this record, and arguably differs from their previous albums, is the use of different guitar tones and effects. ‘We Are The Ordinary’ has a great bridge which uses different styles to great effect, while ‘Avalanche’ has a great build up. Personal favourites for me are ‘Never Get Enough’ and the awesome ‘Partner In Crime’, a track that sounds a bit different from your usual pop-punk sound. Anyone who may have got the unmastered studio sessions will have heard the acoustic version of this song which, in my book, is even better. Hopefully it will see the light of day at some point.
If you’re an old fan of Over It, you’ll love this record – it’s sure to fire the band into the mainstream and I mean that in a good way, not the sappy Simple Plan-esque crap that has saturated MTV in recent years. ‘Silverstrand’ is a perfectly written pop-punk record that will become the anthem to many people’s summers. We may even be lucky enough to get a UK tour this autumn, so get a copy of this record now…
www.overitonline.com
Lobster Records
Paul