Review Summary: We're traveling across familiar highways down under.
2 of 2 thought this review was well writtenIf you haven't heard about Highways until this very moment you probably will in the near future. The five piece pop punk outfit released their debut ep,
Enjoy The Little Things, last month and the ingredients for a powerhouse in the making has never sounded so sweet. Now, you may be wondering what makes me so confident about a band that is a rookie in the field with only one outing under their belt. The answer smacks at full force with the completion of the opener, 'How Do You Like Me Now?' If what you heard leaves you puzzled then you've obviously noticed the dead on ringer for another "little known" act by the name of Paramore. I normally have an extreme pet peeve with those who unfairly lump any female fronted pop punk band in with the likes of Hayley and the gang but in this case it would be impossible not to make the connection.
The members main components with Sarah Buckley’s pipes not only match their predecessor in every wavering note but also pack the impressive range in the repository. The reassuring spunk shows its true colors on top of the upbeat melodies with honest, lighthearted, and universally relatable lyrics. It helps matters that this cute aussie frontwoman will have no problem with the male
populace drooling over her adorable appeal while the females will look up to her out of mere admiration. I'm sure people have heard this package a hundred times and ponder why they should bother with a possible carbon copy in a sea of imitators. I relate the message to those detesters that it'd be downright foolish to pass up a superior model when it arrives. The craftsmanship certainly speaks for itself and puts these young hopefuls next in line to take over the throne.
The refreshing notion about Highways is that there is no baggage in tow gossiped by mindless fanboys to taint the listening experience. The level headed organic creation of the bands existence feels like a slate has been wiped clean for those looking for a new avenue to explore. The bubbly acoustic offering 'La Di Da' reveals their ability to lift low spirits that may be in need of an encouraging pick me up when Sarah passionately croons, "I can see the sun from here and/I can see the winter clear whoa/I can see that summer's near/but I don't want this ever to change." In place of cynical passages lashing out in a selfish agenda we are subjected to an optimistic side of love that makes it able to sing along with its praises. The six tracks instrumentally lock on to a repeatable value that vocally never fails to deliver its feisty bark or enthralling bite.
I'd like to imagine the name Highways being derived from a deeper meaning, a sort of a self-aware realization, one where embarking on an adventure with them will recall acquainted scenery but nevertheless find the same road paved with gold towards the final destination. The tales confessed in wishful thinking are focused on the aspects of interpersonal relationships, may it be a best friend or significant other, which paint the landmarks we've grown accustomed to experiencing in life. The audio projections are capable of melting hearts and hold the lessons individuals can obtain through multiple paths we choose through our journey. If we can stop to
Enjoy The Little Things, ignore the rough patches, then perhaps we'll understand the important reminder the heaviest number 'Victory' closes with, "Inspire me to be a little more than I sell myself short for/Maybe if I took my time/Took It slow/I'd be with a little more."
