When bands suffer line-up changes and an extended wait between releases, things do change. Musical tastes change and musicians mature and improve their songwriting abilities. There’s no doubt that The Prize Fight have changed since their last record – gone is the Philly crew’s horn section in favour of a more refined and, dare I say it, mature sound. The songs are longer, and in many cases more than four minutes, and the band’s influences have changed from the poppier, more upbeat sound of their former selves to a guitar-based tone with better vocal melodies and solid structures. Whether you like the change or not, you cannot deny that as musicians and songwriters, this is better in every way.
If I did have a complaint about TPF, it would be that the songs are a little long – not overly so, but shaving 20 seconds off here and there would make them snappier and catchier. There’s also a lack of spark in the odd chorus, meaning this gets 3.5 rather than 4. Still, the Early November vibe of ‘Lesson #6’ is strangely refreshing and the strength of the vocals is a bonus throughout. I’m a big fan of soaring melodies and ‘The Process EP’ has them in abundance – so much so that almost every song has memorable parts, even if the songs themselves aren’t totally memorable.
‘The Red Light District‘ is very Jimmy Eat World – an obvious influence on the band – while ‘Now or Never’ is arguably the strongest song here, full of singalong parts and poppier guitars that made me think of Cartel – albeit briefly. You could accuse The Prize Fight of ditching the horns for alterior motives, but to be honest I think this is a jump they’ve made for honest reasons and it’s given them better results. ‘The Process EP’ is a fun record – it won’t change your world but it will leave you with a smile on your face.
www.myspace.com/theprizefight
TDR Records
paul