Tag Archives: pop punk

(review) Back Garden Light – Back Garden Light

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Back Garden Light were already featured on the pages of this zine, but this time, they released their new full length album. Hailing from Bordeaux and being formed in 2014 these guys manage to mix melodic punk, pop punk and metalcore in their music and they do it fantastic. This record contains 13 songs. What can we find here? Well, let us start with melodies. For all of us fans and us who love and grew up on melodic side of things, this one is a keeper. Epic melodies, both in guitar work and vocals which are harsh when needed and also emotional and melodic at the same time in song parts that make your skin crawl with goosebumps and make you wish for more. I am usually not an avid fan of metalcore, I am more on hardcore punk and skatepunk side of things, but this one is a keeper sounding energetic and modern at the same time, yet retaining that old school pop punk feeling. The lyrics are personal, but I can totally relate to them in many songs. My personal favorites are: The Right Side, On My Own and Live And Learn. Great record!

(review) El Mapache – Stay At Home e.p.

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El Mapache are melodic punk/pop punk band from Fredrikstad, Norway and this is their new e.p. containing five songs. When I think of Norway I usually first think of black metal, but Norway also has great hardcore and punk scene with Anti-Lam Front, Agenda and many others coming to mind right away. I am so happy that I listened to another awesome band from Norway. The music of El Mapache can be described as melodic punk rock, mid tempo and energetic with some pop punk influences in the song structures. Vocals are really nice, epic melodies and superb backing vocal harmonies. But, to me these guys sound a lot like Misfits. Not lyrically, but musically. Opening and closing guitar of the title song reminded me of Astro Zombies by Misfits. Also Tiny Blue reminded me a lot of newer Jerry Only fronted Misfits, especially in vocals department. To be clear, this is not a bad thing, this is good thing. I really don´t mean that El Mapache copied someone, quite the contrary, songs are strong and well written and I love this release, I am really looking forward to the full length in the future. My personal favorite that I listened to over and over again is Don´t Quit Your Dayjob with such nice lyrics and melody, that made me smile with joy. Passion is the song that picks just that, passion and punk rock energy, love, scene and fantastic songwriting. Madness closes the release in nice way, this song also reminds me of Misfits, but hey maybe that is only me and my weird brain. Anyway, great record, go listen and support!

(review) DENTAL RECORDS – Compilation vol 2

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Dental Records from Toronto is relatively young label and this is their second compilation that they released couple of days ago. Judging by the first one, I knew what to expect, knowing this label is oriented on melodic punk, skate punk and pop punk. There are ten bands in 19 songs represented on this compilation. Some of them I knew from before, like Hangtime which readers of this zine know that they are one of my personal favorites. But, real discovery are bands I never knew before like all those bands that I was discovering through compilation tapes in the nineties when I was growing up as a hardcore kid. All bands represented on this record are epic, but some that really stand out as my highlights are Giant Eagles from Holland who incorporate synth melody to punk rock so fantastic in Bloodlust Tonight creating almost gothic atmosphere. 7 Minute Martians from USA are also awesome, being melodic punk just the way I like it. Wishful Thinking from Australia have that nineties old school skate melodic punk nostalgic vibe awoken in me while listening. Japan´s Stone Leek are also superb being a bit harsher and more heavy but melodic. So, go discover your favorites and get this nice compilation and support the scene and cause worldwide.

https://dentalrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/dental-records-compilation-vol-2