Banquets

This Is Our Concern, Dude

Written by: TL on 01/12/2010 12:58:42

Okay so I wonder how I ended up being the one to review this record, the "This Is Our Concern, Dude" EP from New Jersey four-piece Banquets. I wonder because this is the kind of band PP normally consumes ten of a week, and for whom he would have zillions of references ready for a review. We're talking about music of the same brand of raw but melodic punk-rock which can have its heritage traced all the way back to Lifetime, and the bands that were first inspired by them. Of course, I'm not an idiot, so naturally I enjoy the occasional portion of this music as well, I mean who wouldn't? I'm just saying that if I'm not as spot on with my observation as a certain punk-lovin' editor of ours would've been, then you all are just going to have to forgive me.

From what I can hear, "This Is Our Concern, Dude" (awesome title by the way) positions Banquets comfortably between faster melo-punk outfits like Banner Pilot, Dillinger Four and The Lawrence arms, and slightly slower ones, like The Gaslight Anthem and Against Me. That gives you a little of the good stuff from both worlds, and for my money, that would have to be Banquets' calling card as a band, since I admittedly don't see too much else separating them from either influences or contemporaries.

Not that this matters too much though, when you deal in a genre of music that is most always enjoyable, and deal in it with the three C's - consistency, class, conviction - firmly in your grasp. All you need then are some fairly good song then, and you'll have yourself the basis for a perfectly enjoyable and recommendable EP. In this department, Banquets also deliver, with four tracks capable both when it comes to good dynamics, tempo variations and hooks from the bright guitars and rough vocals, any of which could be called a highlight, all depending on the subjective listener.

The only real issue I see for this band is the one about their personality. It's all good and well to be able to lay down a small handful of joyous tracks for a sweet little EP, but at some point I imagine these guys are going to step up and put out an LP. And when that time comes, I do wonder if Banquets will have enough original character to them, to keep you attentive for the duration of an album of punk-rock songs, the kind of which we will have heard quite a few times before - at least judging from the material on "This Is Our Concern, Dude". That matter however, is none of our concern in this particular moment, as we are dealing with the actual EP, rather than some potential future LP. So I have no problem giving the band a mark that resides barely outside the pearly gates of the good grades.

Download: Lyndon B. Magic Johnson; Eleanor, I Need A Garden
For The Fans Of: Banner Pilot, The Gaslight Anthem, Against Me, Dillinger Four
Listen: myspace.com/banquetsamerica

Release Date 22.06.2010
Black Numbers

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