Seamlessly the band veers between punk-esque aggression and epic delay ridden soundscapes, there is definitely a more mature approach to song writing with much darker tones than I first expected having heard their singles and that’s a good thing as so many UK bands at the moment (who aren’t hardcore) seem to have taken on an American pop-rock sensibility, not to say that the album is doom and gloom with the bands more poppy elements shining through in songs such as ‘Lips’ and ‘Patterns’ (a stand out song along with the title track). Honestly, Time To Grow is a great first album from these British rock newcomers. JC
Senses Fail - Follow Your Bliss "I've still got passion, I've still got guts" - Buddy's aggressive roars open their new EP with a proclamation: Senses Fail aren't done by a long shot. 'Follow Your Bliss' marks their ten years of triumph by simultaneously encapsulating their past successes and showing where the next chapter leads, with both aspects proving equally as exciting. Taking listeners down memory lane, the 'Best Of' component fluidly displays the songs that stand out from their career while causing countless waves of nostalgia. Displaying their finest work, from the anthemic 'Can't Be Saved' to punchier 'Rum Is For Drinking, Not Burning', the quality of this half was never set to be in question. As for their bonus EP, it too proves hard to fault. Covering both ends of the Senses Fail spectrum, 'War Paint' is steeped in aggression and energy, while the concluding number 'Waves' simply feels big with its soaring choruses. Both 'Vines' and 'Early Graves' focus more on their penchant for identifiable and addictive melodies while mixing both clean and unclean vocals. If anything, this merely reaffirms that they are more than capable of producing quality without compromising their definitive style or writing the same song twice. This is a look at the past and a glimpse of the future, and from this snapshot it feels that the best could be yet to come for Senses Fail. Here's to the next ten years! HM
Gnarwolves – CRU Based out of Brighton and with shows alongside Lemuria, The Wonder Years and Boysetsfire already under their belt punk rock Gnarwolves are well on their way to making a name for themselves, and this new 6-track EP are bound to help their cause. The trio open 'CRU' with the bold, brash 'History Is Bunk.' Coming in at jut one minute 43 seconds, Gnarwolves quickly set their sound with an energetic brand of punk and 'We Want The Whip!' pretty much follows the same routine; thrashing feelgood pop punk that you can't but helplessly fall for. ‘Community, Stability, Identity’ sees the band offer a more sincre, calmer moment before springing back into life with 'A Gram Is Better Than A Damn.' With straining vocals, a bouncy tempo and a thriving chorus, you realise Gnarwolves deserve all the hype and praise they will get. Although the final two tracks; 'Oh, Brave new World' and 'Coffee' don't offer much in variation or substance, with bands like Gnarwolves its certainly a case of why spoil a good thing? 'CRU' has a raw energy that brilliantly plays off Gnarwolves' favourable pop punk/punk rock sound with the final result being a quick, straight-to-the-point EP that will definitely draw new fans in and get people talking. SR