Review Summary: Though nothing new, Stallone is the perfect escape from the stress we face everyday.
In a hectic world that manages to throw something good at us then instantly take it away with something worse, we all need someway to cope with it. Our lives are hectic and amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, sometimes we breakdown and can only bury our heads in our hands, overcome with stress. One of the biggest ways humanity has handled tough situations is with music. Whether you’re in it for the technicality presented by the tunes you’re listening to, the emotion portrayed by the artist or simply the culture behind the songs, Canada’s ‘Daggermouth‘ has a little bit for everyone.
Daggermouth has found a way into my everyday routine whether i’m angry, sad, happy or content. It’s true that the bands first studio release ‘Stallone‘ doesn’t revolutionize music at all, but instead takes some of the best aspects of hardcore pop-punk jams and crams them all together in about half an hour. The band reminds us that music isn’t about one-upping every other artist out there or showing off how good you are at your instruments, it’s about being entertaining, fun but most importantly, an escape. The sound presented on ‘Stallone’ is exactly what you would expect--- New Found Glory style jams played at the blistering speed of hardcore, with Nick Leadlay’s vocals soaring above it all. His vocal style is unique, though a little bit feminine at first listen. The albums intro puts the listener right in the mood with the chant “There aint no party like a Daggermouth party, cause a Daggermouth party don’t stop!” Nick then goes on a rant which takes a shot at modern day “tough guy” hardcore. “I dance to trance in garbage pants” follows directly after and throws the listener head first into the album. "Vegas Chaffe, Brutha I Got It Too" is one of their more heartfelt moments and it works well with the backup vocals doing their job perfectly. Punctual gang vocals are also used to accent the uplifting "Shildo's Quest: Legacy of the Dung." Further down the line, "Lassie's Last Dance" is a very catchy, quotable song.
The production quality is nothing amazing, which is expected from punk music. It doesn’t really detract from the album except for the bass being turned up too loud and fitting somewhat awkwardly with the tuning of everything else.
It’s true, this album isn’t going to bring your friends and family closer together. It isn’t going to help you pay off your debts. It isn’t going to help you find a job you can stand, or a job at all for that matter. What it will do however, is help you escape and forget about all of that.
