Cardiff quartet SOLUTIONS return with self-released EP ‘Ends Meet’ and continue on with their Hot Water Music-esque punk rock. ‘Ends Meet’ is very much what we have come to expect from this brand of punk. Opening track ‘Ghost Writers’ is punchy with raspy vocal strains which could’ve been written by Florida’s finest. With the recent addition of a second guitarist Solutions‘ sound has become fuller with ‘Mexican Waves’ having a brilliant Chicago-punk rock feel to it.
The only downside to this EP is the frankly turgid ‘Threes’ which saps the momentum out of the record. Whether it was an attempt of an acoustic ballad or simply a respite from the full throttle of the opening two tracks is not clear but what is clear is that ‘Threes’ simply shouldn’t have made it on to this record. Fortunately they almost immediately regain their mojo with the well crafted, sing-a-long ‘Apparatus Superstar’ capping off a solid EP. Despite a shaky moment in the middle this is a notable effort from the Cardiff boys.
TOM WALSH