Review Summary: The Oakland pop punk band is back with an array of sounds. It is probably the most diverse punk album I've ever heard. It's an extremely experimental album and if you like Motion City Soundtrack you'll like these guys.
Shawn Harris- Lead vox, guitar
Jon Deveto- lead guitar, vox
Justin San Souci- bass, vox
Matt Whalen- drums
The Matches are back and this album doesn't disappoint. With the likes of Tim Armstrong, Mark Hoppus and John Feldmann producing this album you expect it to deliver and it does. There are number of instruments used in the album such as strings, horns and even a bit of big beat techno in a couple of songs. The choruses are catchy leaving you with songs to remember and some songs are very teen orientated. Every song on here is different and unique so there's nothing similar or the same.
1. Salty Eyes- A very unusual way to start the album as it is almost and orchestral piece. This is probably one of the only songs I don't like on this album. 2/5
2. Drive- Puts you in thick of things straight away giving you the message what this album is about. There is big beat techno in the song that pretty much remains with the whole entire song. A very fast song and has a chorus that you just want to sing along to. 4.5/5
3. Papercut Skin- has a cool groovy swinging guitar riff in the verse and the bass holds the song together. Contains another catchy chorus and a good pop punk song too listen to and sing along too. 5/5
4. Clumsy Heart- A nice heart warming song about love that nearly everyone would enjoy. The bass and the swinging guitar makes this an enjoyable song. 3.5/5
5. Little Maggots- has an extremely catchy chorus and is almost like a teen anthem and solid fast drumming. A can't stop but headbang during the chorus. The bass flows nicely through the song. A very nonsense song but amusing song as well. Also as has a stint of poetry in it taking a line from Stevie Smith's Waving Not Drowning. 4.5/5
6. What Katie Said- This song got me into these guys straightaway. It sung almost from a point of view that a teenager could relate to. The bass line connects the verse and chorus very well going to a somber bass line to lashing out in the chorus. It also has a cool call and response between the Shawn and the band. Another catchy chorus AGAIN! 5/5
7. Sunburn Versus The Rhinovirus- The most in depth and personally my most favourite song on this album. It contains a variety of guitar techniques that shows of Jon's talent. The verse is almost simultaneously leading up to the meaningful chorus, which is sung in a high octave. The song is slowed down in the bridge than jumps back into the action 5/5
8. Lazier Than The Furniture- A complete lash out that is very very repetitive. Solid drumming. Could of been done better. 3.5/5
9. Didi (My Dog, Part 2)- A very poppy punk song but is good song to listen to. Has a good connection with the basic drumbeat with the rhythmic guitar that flows. A very joyful song that is good to chill out to. Gently broken down at the end and this song feels as if he is making a proposal to someone. 4/5
10. You (Don't) Know Me- A cool song with wacky sounds and has continually backing vocals that is call and response to Shawn. The verse is that kept solid by the bass which makes it very groovy and has a wicked guitar solo. Yet again another catchy chorus. 4.5/5
11. My Soft And Deep- Has a unusual repetitive guitar riff that makes the song. The almost sounds similar to a disco song that gets your feet moving. Shawn doesn't sing in the verse but sort of raps it instead. 4/5
12. Shoot Me In The Smile- My second favourite song on the album and is a good song to send the message the album is almost over. Another anthem that teenagers can relate too. The drumming is very powerful in this song. In the verse the song is sung as in anger but in the chorus it it sung loosely as if there's no sense of care. Awesome song that contains many layers and an over the edge guitar solo going to one extreme to the next. This song clearly shows the talent of the band. 5/5
13. A very solid end to the album and is truly a goodbye to the album. Sung with passion by Shawn and the drumming is the drummed as if as a long line march to emphasize the end. Is slow at the start but is continually sung out. The guitar is faded it till end as if the curtain is being lowered. 4/5
Likes:
Variety of different songs (each are individual and different)
Showed The Matches true capabilities
Catchy choruses
Creative guitar and bass riffs
Teen oriented lyrics
Dislikes:
Could have had a better opening song
The teen orientated lyrics can be too soppy at time
Overall it is a very good album. Hope you buy it and see how good it is. This is first review by the way so hope did well.
Cheers, Johno
P.S On the albulm there is a secret song on there that is a second version of You (Dont) Know Me that has horns and goes for longer.
