Review Summary: Tumblr users everywhere rejoice
Neck Deep are a young five-piece band from Wrexham, in the UK. Despite having only been around since 2012, they have already achieved airplay on BBC Radio 1, and have been featured on the Alternative Press website. Neck Deep's brand of pop-punk is very reminiscent of The Story So Far or State Champs, in the best way possible way. They released one EP, titled Rain In July, and to gear up for recording their debut album, they have released a three song EP, entitled A History Of Bad Decisions.
Immediately you can see the growth from their first release, as opening song Up In Smoke lets you know exactly what you are dealing with. It is the fastest song on the EP, and this suits singer Ben Barlow's voice. Vocally he sounds like Parker Cannon of The Story So Far. However with a slightly less whiny singing voice. Second track Tables Turned starts off as a more traditionally summery pop-punk track, with a brilliantly catchy intro. However around the two and a half minute mark it picks up and explodes into the greatest moment the band has recorded yet. The final song is a semi-acoustic number, named Head To The Ground. Perfectly catchy, short and simple, it pulls off the usually cliche move of a crescendo into a full band number halfway through, with consummate ease.
Lyrically, A History Of Bad Decisions is everything pop-punk should be, honest and relateable. Whether dealing with long distance relationships in Head To The Ground (So here's this song that I've been listening to, it reminds me of you), self pitying in Up In Smoke (Swear to God that I tried, I just thought that for once I could do something right, but I can't and I'm sorry), or the relief of a break up in Tables Turned (I guess some distance was the best cure for this, but rest assured it's not you I miss anymore), the lyrics are never less than 100% honest and are bound to pop up in GIF form on blogs everywhere.
A History Of Bad Decisions is a great EP, that while perhaps too reminiscent of The Story So Far for some, is likely to help catapult Neck Deep towards the top of the pop-punk scene.
