Review Summary: In their inaugural full-length effort, pop punk quintet Knuckle Puck sees fit to "Swing" for the fences. The outcome will surely leave them "In Your Crosshairs" for a long time to come.
Pop punk group Knuckle Puck finally emerges with their full-length debut album, after 4 years of extended plays and a collaborative project with fellow pop punk rockers Neck Deep. Needless to say, this group is certainly on the right foot with their decision making. Their signing with Rise Records last winter, coupled with EPs and touring, has now culminated in their first long-player. The result isn't just your typical, cookie cutter pop punk, the likes of which, are commonplace with The Story So Far and Neck Deep. Knuckle Puck envisions themselves to surpass the former and carve out their own personality. Now that they've got their foot in the door, we can indulge in the hard work they've put in.
Opening track "Wall to Wall (Depreciation)" opens the album on a very amiable note. Lead singer Joe Taylor did his homework. He's got the pipes to move a track along. That's been established. But he also has the uncanny knack to coincide with the instrumentation of his pop punk comrades. Guitarist Kevin Maida doesn't get too flashy with his hooks, but his work is noting ordinary either. "Disdain", is another galvanizer. Casasanto's vocals are impeccable when it comes to backing Taylor, and his presence and ability to co-exist with the rest of the group is evident. The track opens very sound and solid lyrically ("I've got a lo to talk about./My disdain for the Pacific threw my name into distant mouths.") Even if "Disdain" creates a vibe similar to The Story So Far, the track still has enough of its own dignity sonically, that you'll be able to tell the difference. Tracks such as "True Contrite" bring a certain poignancy that helps distinguish the group. Audible bass is apparent and existent all throughout this record. Knuckle Puck certainly isn't perfect either. "Ponder" has a bit of an atmospheric sound to it, which leads me to "Ponder" which direction the group wants to make. Though very reminiscent of modern radio rock, the guitar work is still solid and the aforementioned audible bass helps the group carve out their own musical dignity.
Tracks such as "Evergreen" are very up-tempo, another common attribute for pop punk groups. Call it predictable and exactly what you came to expect. Nonetheless, the group takes themes that aren't exactly fresh and new, but re executed well enough that you don't mind. "Poison Pen Letter" has a nice touch to its merit. The mix of electric and acoustic guitars make a hand in glove fit for Nick's vocals. While not always on point in their aim for the stars, this group definitely is in-sync amongst each other, and their togetherness is impeccable. "In Your Crosshairs" and "Swing" are standout tracks. The former opens with a guitar riff that sounds similar to 3 Doors Down, whereas "Swing" opens with a blurry of electric guitars that give the track an up-tempo and positive vibe to its merit.
The album as a whole is quite the step up from their EPs, especially their earliest discography. But that's expected. Knuckle Puck is no longer the inexperienced pop punk quintet that hailed out of Chicago, IL four years ago. Stints on Warped Tour and independent releases have brought them to this, and once they work out the rest of the kinks, there will be nothing to stop them. Needless to say, their future is shining bright.
