New Found Glory

Resurrection

Written by: PP on 19/10/2014 22:22:56

Without going too much into detail on all the drama surrounding the departure of founding member and rhythm guitarist Steve Klein, there was genuine worry amongst fans whether New Found Glory would be able to write another New Found Glory record. Interviews leading up to this point had indicated that Steve Klein was heavily involved in the songwriting process from the very beginning, so it was natural to suspect an inadvertent change in expression as a result. With a ridiculously stubborn manner, the band set out to prove all doubters wrong on their eighth full-length "Resurrection", which basically sounds exactly like New Found Glory records have sounded like thus far - even though it was recorded as a four-piece instead. Perhaps too much so, as we find out throughout the course of the record, where the band seem to be aiming for as much of an early 2000s-era repeat album as possible, and as a result end up sounding like derivatives of their own sound.

Instrumentally, the guitars are still crunchy and heavy for a pop punk record, continuing in line with the hardcore-influenced sound started on "Not Without A Fight" and onward. The bright melodies look back towards "Sticks & Stones" era at the same time, and the band aren't afraid to drop it down to a d-beat rhythm on some of the faster paced tracks like "Stories Of A Different Kind". Incidentally, these are the best tracks on the album, because they are so energized, fun listens with upbeat tempo and super catchy choruses that echo classic New Found Glory material. "Resurrection" may not be as summery as "Radiosurgery", and is a little bit less catchy in general, but it does have a ton of great tracks on it like "Degenerate", "Ready & Willing", "Stubborn" among others. The last one is particularly interesting because it features Anthony Raneri of Bayside fame taking over the vocals for a verse; here, the song morphs into Bayside style emotive rock all of a sudden. It's funny how big of a role vocals have in this type of music, for which Jordan Pundik's nasal pop punk signature vocals are a great example of.

That said, songs like "The Worst Person" (which is presumably a stab at Klein), the title-track, and "Angel" are almost comical derivatives of New Found Glory of the good ol' days. Where "Radiosurgery" felt like a revitalization of the band's sound, these ones sound like the band is running out of ideas. Especially the chorus to "The Worst Person" feels totally forced and unnatural. Scott Vogel's brief screams on the title track are also unnecessary if you ask me. Simply put, it often feels like the band didn't really want to write this album so the resulting expression is like New Found Glory on autopilot. In practice, it's still pretty good considering they are firmly sitting on the throne of pop punk and have been doing that since 1999, but what's missing here is enough great material that you would put on instead of something from the other albums when given choice in back catalogue. A good album, but nowhere near the best material they have written.

7

Download: Stubborn, Degenerate, Stories Of A Different Kind
For the fans of: Fireworks, Veara, This Time Next Year, Motion City Soundtrack
Listen: Facebook

Release date 07.10.2014
Hopeless Records

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