Review Summary: Good pop-punk with a price that can't be beat
Direct Hit! are a 5-piece Milwaukee based band that play a high energy brand of punk rock. This EP (shockingly) is the follow-up to #3. I discovered it while perusing the internet for free legal music. And after repeated listens, I have to say, the price cannot be beat.
So, things start off with Snicker’s or Reece’s (Pick Up the Pieces). The song starts off with a shout of “F**k you! Get pumped!” This really sets the mood for the rest of the EP. Also, this is the most energetic and aggressive song found here. The lyrics are actually pretty depressing, talking about waiting and preparing for someone coming to kill you. Nevertheless, you’ll find yourself singing along no matter what as the catchiness level is very high. And as an added bonus, we have an audible bass line.
Next, we have Monster in the Closet which is the best song on the album. It is much more focused than the previous song. Despite that difference, it is still a catchy number with a healthy dose of shouted “Hey’s!” througout. Here, frontman Nick Woods gives his best vocal performance. Again, he sings about a depressing thing, this time about a, well, monster in his closet that he needs to kill or else be killed.
Choke is the third song and we find the lyrics reminiscing about life as a 17 year old. The simple three chord structure works effectively and reminds me of the famous “Blitkrieg Bop”. This is the weakest track to be found but by no means is bad.
Last but not least, we find In Orbit. This song starts off slower than usual but then we hear the whole band singing about leaving the Earth and all of its problems behind. All of the hooks on this album are appealing and this song is no exception. It’s a nice change of pace and a fitting way to close an EP that leaves you wanting more.
#4 is an excellent EP that is just long enough to satisfy that punk rock itch you might get every so often. That’s just what this record is. Energetic punk rock that can brighten any day. The instrumentation is good for the genre and the lyrics are interesting enough to make you want to listen. Even though the band are giving this EP away for free, I feel guilty for the price. That says a lot.
