Review Summary: I don't owe you anything
Originality in the U.K. Pop Punk scene is something that is few and far in between. The newer bands of the last two years have taken to aping the fun and upbeat stylings of Neck Deep, or the short and immediate in-your-face attitude of The Story So Far. So, for Trash Boat to just show up and crash the party with their own unique style, well that’s definitely worth some level of commendation. Everything about their sound feels more deliberate and controlled. These aren’t just kids throwing *** to the wall hoping it sticks, each track is fleshed out to its logical conclusion and filled with multiple flourishes that elevate the band above some of its peers.
“Strangers”, with its guest appearance from The Wonder Years' frontman Dan Campbell, is an obvious and definite highlight. A short but smooth guitar line leads into Tobi Duncan’s own special raw vocals. The drumming is tight, there are riffs aplenty, Tobi knows how to write chorus after chorus; all the ingredients for a kickass album are here. The hardcore and punk influences clash so perfectly to create something truly energetic and catchy. “How Selfish I Seem” is a vocally raw banger with some goddamn sweet bass lines if I ever heard some. “Tring Quarry” is a certified Pop Punk anthem, complete with catchy guitar riff and bouncy vocal melodies. There are kinds of little moments that shine through here. The one-two punch of the short and quiet “Things We Leave Behind” leading into the fast and punchy “The Guise of a Mother”. The slow and methodical start to “Brave Face”. The bridge to “Catharsis” is especially beautiful, changing up the song completely and turning it into something way bigger than when it started.
I’m not trying to convince you this is a great album. What I do want to get across is that this is totally worth your time. Compared to their peers, Trash Boat easily writes some of the least cliche Pop Punk songs I’ve heard in awhile. If they continue down the path their going, I’m sure they will accomplish some huge things come the sophomore effort. Until then, I hope you give this one a shot and like it as much as I do. Really, this was in the top ten Pop Punk albums of 2016 for me. Give it a listen and be surprised.
