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Review Summary: Californian punk rockers look to some cross-country modernization. There was a period approximately two decades ago when punk rock fans could literally get their fill of music by listening to bands from just one American state; California. Those bands included the likes of Bad Religion, Blink 182, the on-again/off-again Descendents, Face to Face, Green Day, Guttermouth, NOFX, The Offspring, Pennywise, Rancid, Strung Out and The Vandals. Missing from that list is Lagwagon, whose founding - and still current - guitarist Chris Flippin moonlights in Versus The World. Among other members of the collective is bass player Mike Davenport, formerly of Indiana’s The Ataris, but unsurprisingly Californian born. So it’s fair to say that the west coast state is a hotbed for punk; a tradition which Versus The World look to continue on their solid-as-a-rock third LP ‘Homesick/Roadsick’.
In a positive sign for their future, Versus The World didn’t wait seven years between albums like they did the first time around, releasing ‘Homesick/Roadsick’ less than three years after predecessor ‘Drink. Sing. Live. Love’. In truth, the now quintet look to neither revolutionize the genre nor update their own sound a great deal, even if there is definitely some cross-country modernization evident here. This is where the versatility of lead vocalist and guitarist Donald Spence plays an integral guiding role for the band, lending a nice balance of the nostalgic familiarity of yesteryear with the more passionate blue-collar songwriting that has been somewhat resurgent of late. Spence’s vocals are far from what you would call slick or smooth, but don’t reach the gruff nature of contemporaries such as Red City Radio or Make Do and Mend either.
Musically accomplished, the rhythm section of Davenport and drummer Bryan Charlson (who lays rapid-fire beats on the likes of ‘Seven. Thirty One’, ‘Bullet Train’ and closer ‘Our Song’) predictably lay a solid backbone for the triple guitar attack. However, despite a solo appearing on every other track, there are stages where you almost beg for the ax-wielding triumvirate to throw the rule book out the window and cut loose. Versus The World are noisy without ever verging on cluttered, as melodic leads weave in and out of tunes, stopping just short of fully capturing attention. This feels like a positive within each individual song, but a nagging negative as the album’s 11 track, 37 minute duration progresses. Introducing some synthesizers or elevating any post-hardcore tendencies would be an unnatural and unnecessary suggestion, but Versus The World probably need to do more in order to stand out from their peers and progress to the next level.
There are some missed opportunities on ‘Homesick/Roadsick’ for the quintet to catch the ear too, with the titular concept rarely explored in engaging fashion. Meanwhile, the tribute to the late Tony Sly (No Use For A Name) that is opener ‘The Santa Margarita’ is heartfelt but far from memorable, whilst also containing a Dave Hause feature that is barely noticed. Hooks… aggression… atmosphere… diversity… All these characteristics are evident on this album, without ever taking that extra step to distinguish Versus The World from the pack. Individual highlights can change from listen to listen, with the refrains of successive cuts ‘Bullet Train’ and ‘Detox/Retox’ arguably being the most memorable. The gap between its best and worst track, however, is small, rendering ‘Homesick/Roadsick’ a reliable LP that doesn’t necessarily demand repeated listens. In other words, it is another consistent and cohesive record, which – like its predecessor – may be too consistent and cohesive for its own good.
Recommended Tracks: Bullet Train, Detox/Retox, A Brooklyn Rooftop & Seven. Thirty One.
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Album Rating: 3.5
‘Santa Margarita’ is the only embeddable track on SoundCloud at present, but it’s far from the best on the album imo.
Here's 'A Brooklyn Rooftop: https://soundcloud.com/versus-the-world/05-a-brooklyn-rooftop
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"Those bands included the likes of Bad Religion, Blink 182, the on-again/off-again Descendents, Face to Face, Green Day, Guttermouth, NOFX, The Offspring, Pennywise, Rancid, Strung Out and The Vandals"
Those were seriously the days. If the embedded track isn't their best work I should probably check this out, because I sort of dig it.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
It's crazy there were so many (similar) bands from the same state around about the same time. It just goes to show what a thriving industry can cultivate.
If you go to their SoundCloud page, you can listen to 'A Brooklyn Rooftop', but it can't be embedded for some reason... 'A Brooklyn Rooftop': https://soundcloud.com/versus-the-world/05-a-brooklyn-rooftop
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loved the review man, nice to see a staff writer covering Versus the World! even though i haven't heard this album yet, I agree with pretty much everything you say about the band. they're definitely not trying to reinvent the wheel, but but they have a nostalgic and reliable discog thus far. I'm sure it couldn't hurt for them to step out of their comfort zone a bit though, so agreed with that as well : ]
now i just have to wait until Tuesday unless they decide to post a stream haha.
| | | Album Rating: 3.2 | Sound Off
I liked this album. Not as 'punky' as I like, but still pretty good.
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I'm digging these two tracks. Can't wait to hear the rest of it.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Thanks Atari. I do think VtW deserve the exposure. As already discussed with you, I'm just a little unsure of where their ceiling is. Maybe with Chris still being in Lagwagon, they can only do so much. It will be interesting to see what you think of the full LP.
I thought you'd think something along those lines Trey. I do feel that the band have updated their sound subtly to play towards that Menzingers/Gaslight style that has become fairly popular of late.
Maybe I've misjudged the opener. If people are liking that, then maybe they'll like the album more than me... Dare I say it, we might have another 'On the Impossible Past' on our hands!
| | | Album Rating: 3.2 | Sound Off
I haven't heard any of their older stuff. I checked it out since I had to get it for you. I'm not a fan of either of those other two bands you mentioned though, so this is better than they are, at least.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Careful Trey, if you say that you're not a fan of Americana-leaning punk, you might get booted out of America.
| | | Album Rating: 3.2 | Sound Off
Ha ha. I don't like Americana-leaning punk, Americana-leaning folk, country music or apple pie.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I'm with ya for the most part... The apple pie being the main exception. What can I say; I have a Sweet tooth.
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is it just me or when staff/contrib fail to come up with an interesting introduction they just briefly delve into the history of the band's genre or the band's history and then quickly relate it to the release at hand
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
While that's not necessarily untrue, I thought it both pertinent to the subject/band at hand & also rather interesting in this case. Just reading out all those bands from the late 90s/early 00s makes you realise how just one state was such a hotbed for the genre.
But different readers have different tastes in writing & music, so to each their own.
And I just had a look at your reviews to see what tickles your fancy on intros... And thought I would look at the review of the album I'd actually heard. The 1st sentence is: "Going back into some Foo history". Hmmm.
| | | Album Rating: 3.2 | Sound Off
I think those introductions are the easiest to do and most likely they do have something to do with the latest release, so they're also effective. I do it all the damn time ;)
Also, good investigative skills, Davey. Ha ha.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
As long as the intro IS linked to the current release, I don't see an issue.
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the day is finally here! so far i'm enjoying this about the same as much as I expected too...although the vocals do sound slightly improved this time around
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"And I just had a look at your reviews to see what tickles your fancy on intros... And thought I would look at the review of the album I'd actually heard. The 1st sentence is: "Going back into some Foo history". Hmmm."
yeah i'm really not proud of that one. i wrote it way too quickly and nervously submitted it
touche
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the vocalist in the linked song sounds very much like Zoli from Ignite.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
This is finally out there!
Any disappointments Atari?
I've never listened to Ignite in any great detail, but since they're another Californian punk band, I probably should have included them on the list.
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dude Let it Burn is classic get on that quick
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