Taking the usual Pop-Punk/Melodic Hardcore starting points and adding some serious musical proficiency and their own brand of smutty humour (see ‘Torn’), Skirtbox have created a record that can stand proudly against its peers. This album borrows heavily from the Fat Wreck staple of melodic punk, and occasionally when they go in a harder direction they sound like early Thrice. Like such bands as Strung Out and Thrice, they’re not content with simple power chord progressions. Guitarists Jon and Will like to pack the songs with riffs, which along with some breakneck speed drumming add depth to what could otherwise be a fairly basic sound.
They’re sometimes referred to as ‘Technical Punk’ but this is an exaggeration. Sure they’re all good musicians, but there are no Aconite Thrill/Sikth style crazy time signatures or dissonant guitar phrases. ‘Yloponom’, ‘Sweet SA’ and ‘My Bones Are Lazy’ are pretty standard pop-punk ditties that fill out the album, comparable to Audio Karate in their catchy but heard-it-before-ness. It is when they go in a harder direction that they start to shine. ‘Torn’ and ‘Lube Specialists’ are great songs, in a way explaining the inclusion of Extreme and Van Halen in the thank you notes. Other highlights are ‘Fiction Burns’ and album opener ‘Jigsaw’.
The main criticism with this album is the almost withdrawn nature of vocalist Will’s singing. He has a good voice but it really feels like he’s not letting go, where it could really add energy to the songs. Overall this is a great record, although not all of the songs are of a high standard, many of them are, and deserve repeated listens. There are melodies that will stick in your head for a long time, and drum fills and guitar riffs that will make you sit up and take notice. With such good songs and talent at their individual instruments, the next release could be very special.
Ben Gosling