Georgia punks Whippersnapper released a pretty good debut record in ‘America’s Favourite Pastime’, but it just stank of a band that didn’t really have their own sound. So thank goodness for ‘The Long Walk’ – an album which shows a band that could be destined for far greater things.
OK, they still sound like the spawn of Slick Shoes and Strung Out, but this time they have their own spin on things. Opener ‘A New Chapter’ is aptly named, with some kick-ass snare drums and cool guitars. It’s fast and melodic as hell, a trait that the whole album has. Infact the tune ‘The Long Walk’ itself has dynamics and melody to boot. It’s almost as though the band were concious of their mistakes, sat down and had a think about how they could improve, and boy, they have done just that.
‘Equations’ is a more considered effort than most of the songs on their debut and ‘Sleeping Cure’ has some great vocal harmonies combined with some driving guitar riffs and crashing drums. ‘Blinded’ even sounds a little bit like The Ataris involved in a car crash with Alkaline Trio. Sounds brutal, but it actually works very nicely indeed.
‘Steady The Walls’ is more straight-up punk than some of the other songs, and this variety is highly noticeable following the rather stale feeling you get whilst listening to their debut. ‘An Open Invitation’ is glorious, oozing goodness with a variety of dynamics and harmonies going on and ‘Clothes Horse’ starts off slow before building up into a skate punk monster of a tune.
‘Shamefaced’ takes a while to get going, but when it does it sounds like a Ten Foot Pole b-side… maybe the only moment on this record where plagarism really does strike. So it’s a good job ‘The Day After Tomorrow‘ hits back with yet another corking effort, coming over all emo in a skate-punk kinda way.
‘Simple Words’ mixes the pace up with what is becoming their trademark sound and album closer ‘Life Will Go On’ is again thoughtful and considered and a cracking song.
Whippersnapper have provided a record of real quality, improving no end on their debut record. The signs for their next release, out soon on Fueled By Ramen, are looking pretty sweet.