South Wales pop-punk quintet Save Your Breath have a special place in the hearts, minds and record collections of local neighbours and breakthrough fans alike. The release of their official debut ‘Vices’ seems to have taken an age and a half. Finally here it is. Blood, guts and sweat on show to the world. But is it all we hoped it would be?
The Newport pop-punkers have been through more than their fair share of strife over the years; unemployment, shit equipment and new additions to highlight but a few. It is widely known that trials and turmoil provide the ultimate backbone for creative explosions, and on the whole that is what has been incarnated into SYB’s 11 strong debut.
Setting the tone for the entire record ‘Nothing Worth Having Comes Easy’ breaks out in a fury of unadulterated pop-rock glory before ‘Loud & Clear’ beats in; a ferocious mix of race horse drums and fierce riffery. Title track ‘Vices’ lo-fi intro shows a band trying, but not quite succeeding, to break out of their ‘Hit Or Miss’ era New Found Glory comfort zone.
As first releases go, ‘Vices’ is nearly there. A scattering of brilliant tracks – namely ‘You’re A Rebel Alright’, ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ and ‘Fake It Like You Mean It’ – raise the bar half way through an album that otherwise borders lazy. Everyone knows that live this album will be unparalleled, but utilising the same pop-punk formula cashed in on by Blink 182 circa Dude Ranch on every song takes away the journey element of an album.
JESSICA ACREMAN