If you’re a fan of old-skool EpiFat punk rock, Paris’ Straightaway are the band for you. Citing the likes of Strung Out and No Use For A Name as influences, the band have a very late 90s skate-punk vibe to their sound, which is both refreshing and a little dated at the same time. Although based in France the band’s English is impeccable and you;d never know they weren’t American as they’ve managed to nail the perfect sound for this type of music.
Although they’ve been a band now for 8 years this is their first full length album and it’s very, very solid. ‘Had Your Chance’ reminds me of very early Over It with crunchy guitar riffs and very melodic vocals. It’s a trait the band have almost trademarked as they race through 14 songs. ‘Safe Illusions’ is another cracker, as is ‘Unchanging Story’. If I had any complaints it would be that this release is perhaps a couple of songs too long – certainly the slower tracks don’t really suit the band as much and while it’s good variation, I can’t say I enjoy them as much as the faster ones. Still, this is a solid debut release and fans of the aforementioned bands will lap this up.