Review Summary: Iron Chic's second LP doesn't set out to be anything more than collection of upbeat, fast paced, catchy pop-punk/rock anthems, and in that regard it succeeds.
Iron Chic aren't revolutionary. If anything, they're counter-revolutionary, holding on to past sounds and desperately throwing back to a time when fringe pop-punk was still lovably The Get Up Kids and The Lawrence Arms. The distorted guitars, screechy/probably slightly intoxicated vocals coupled with plenty of chant-able verses and lighthearted lyrics about being young and trying to find a footing in life. Their songwriting is simple, three or four chords, verse, chorus, verse, bridge. You wont hear any new sounds or ideas you haven't heard before. They are nothing special.
But they don't need to be.
The Constant One is Iron Chic's second full length album, and their first on the Bridge Nine label (comfortably placed alongside bands like Gallows and New Found Glory). After the spacey, relaxed instrumental opening, the band kicks into a fast paced full gear that rarely slows down unto the ending guitar feedback on the closing song. It's obvious not much has changed since their debut, Not Like This. This album is a collection of fast paced pop punk songs in the vein of Hot Water Music and The Flatliners, with some Something To Write Home About-era Get Up Kids for good measure. The constant upper tone of the album is a fresh feeling, and something that did well on their first album. This band clearly hasn't been brought down by the new emo revival recently, as almost every song has at least some sort of hopeful idea to convey. The themes of making progress, enjoying youth, and love aren't at all unfamiliar territory in this genre. You've heard them all before, and more likely than not, you've heard them done better. However, that fact doesn't bar this pleasant collection of familiar pop-punk anthems from enjoyment. If you liked Not Like This, and similar pop-punk acts, there's no reason that this album shouldn't at least mildly entertain you during it's brief run time.
"If I know one thing, it's how to waste my time. And if you taught me anything, it's not to waste my life."
