Review Summary: Buffalo boys sing it loud.
Oh, this is all so familiar. From the 4 drumstick clicks that start off "Rules of Attraction", to the hard-hitting gang vocals in the bridge of "Words with Friends", to the conclusive finale of "Isn't It Obvious?", which sees each instrument successively falling out of the mix until silence takes over,
Wrecked fulfills expectations. This fact seems odd, of course, with these six tracks being the first we've heard from Buffalo, NY's pop-punk troupe
Pentimento. Still, I can't help but feel as if these songs are exactly what I wanted to hear from a band I didn't know, that being honest, heartfelt songwriting backed by musicianship that's as fun as it is dynamic.
But really, I'm having trouble here in overcoming the comfort that's to be found in
Wrecked. Cymbals crash when they should. Lyrics creep under the skin but don't feel unwelcome there. The pace of it all ebbs and flows just as it should and does so completely seamlessly. Even more importantly, it's all so relatable. Seriously, if your third listen to "Words With Friends" doesn't have you shouting along to "
I've got that itch again/To make things worse in steady increments," well then I guess you've got a lot more self control than I do. Or take a track like "Maybe, Just Maybe", which masters the art of altering both pace and mood mid-song. What it lacks in a slightly weaker and less mature chorus, it makes up for in it's ability to go from energetic and hopeful to subdued and pensive then right back into frenzied and passionate, showcasing some deep-rooted and well-learned punk rock roots from the
Pentimento boys.
And sure,
Wrecked borderlines on juvenile at times, but I'd like to think that it's pretty well aware of the fact. 'Why not make the mistakes when I can afford to make them,' says the EP's storyline, and it's got that right. At this point in their lives and in their career, such a group can afford the corniness of the lyrics that start track six. Hell, anyone think Jesse Lacey looks proudly upon such rusty, triton-infested hooks as "
Forget everything you think you know about me"? Hell no, but I think Mr. Lacey & co. are doing just fine over on Long Island. Anyways, in the interest of staying on point,
Pentimento have put out the debut EP that they
should be putting out at this point in time. They've shouted and sang and sputtered their part, now let's see if they can ball those fists up tight and roll with the punches. I'm looking forward to some fireworks in this one.
