Review Summary: The fact that Over it execute things as well as they do on Timing is Everything is as good a credit as most bands in their niche can get.
Timing is Everything is an ironic title for Over It’s sophomore record. The sharp, bombastic pop-punk attack that emerges on their first properly produced disc could have blown up had it been on the coattails of pop-punk’s breakthrough a few years earlier.
Timing is Everything finds Over It retaining their punk edge ala
No Use for a Name or
Lagwagon while adding a keen sense of melody, stronger songwriting, and clean production. Although Over it showed some ability to craft a hook on
The Ready Series, the songs were at best derivative.
Timing is Everything’s crisp sound and increased variety gives it newfound replay value.
Opening salvo 'Limiter' and 'Wrong Way' are driving, uptempo tracks that could even appeal to fans of higher octane punk bands. Peter’s vocals are more confident on this album than on
The Ready Series, and the rest of the production follows suit. This combination makes this an appealing album to all sides, a crossover that is both high energy and thoroughly melodic.
The band displays some grace switching gears on the pseudo-ballad, 'Fall.' It settles into a mid-tempo groove layered with tasteful acoustic guitar work. Its fade-to-black ending drives home a great melody that contrasts with the hammering opening tracks. This respite is short-lived as the band hits the gas throughout the middle of the record. 'Nothing Serious' is just plain infectious and 'Worry Bomb' brings to mind early
New Found Glory. Keeping the pace lively and the hooks punchy, the band rarely has the time to wear out their welcome on
Timing is Everything.
Closing track 'Crush' demonstrates what Over It excels at on
Timing is Everything. It is the most anthemic track on the record (sporting a rally cry of "Take up our arms and fight till time leaves us alone")- combining a high energy verse with one of the album's strongest hooks. One of the satisfying things about
Timing Is Everything is that the band seems aptly expressive and comfortable with the songs they have written. Even though the band makes very little (if any) attempt to push the pop-punk template, the fact that they execute things as well as they do is as good a credit as most bands in their niche will ever get.
