As I have said previously compilation albums are a great way
to discover new bands. This past week I found a Belgian pop punk band named The
Octopussys. The little biography on their Bandcamp page describes them as “the
perfect soundtrack for a summer feeling with great riffs and melodies that have
an instant sing-along character in a bunch of great punk rock songs.” I
reviewed 2011’s Face The World to find out.
Opening with the song Tonight, The Octopussys get the album
going exactly how you would expect a pop punk band to with a fun fast paced
song about forgetting your troubles and living life for the moment. This is
followed by Distant Memories which as an Ataris So Long Astoria feel to it.
Clean sounding vocals over some crunching guitars and pounding drums.
Track three, Summers Gone is a song with a metaphor.
Throughout the song Thibaut Hox sings about summer ending when what he really
seems to be talking about is the breakup of a relationship. The opening of
track four Hear Me Out really caught my attention with an interesting drum
intro before really giving it some beans with the whole band. It’s about realising
your mistakes in a relationship and not giving up on it.
Good Guys also has a really interesting beginning using a
technique that makes the guitars sound as if they are underwater before coming
into some great punchy guitar riffs. This is another song about girls (I’m
sensing a theme) and why nice guys always finish last and how frustrating it
is. Title track Face The World comes next. It’s a great positive song about not
hiding away from your problems and facing them head on.
Moving On is the next song
is about that friend that everyone has, the one who is only around when
they want help. It’s an interesting subject for a song and one that I’ve not
heard much of before. This is followed by Break Me Free which starts with a
great drum roll before going back to the subject of girls. This time they talk
about giving a failed relationship another chance and it still not working out.
Song number 9 is called Stuck and is played at a slower temp
though the singing sounds more urgent. It’s about being stuck in a boring
relationship, missing the days when everything was exciting and the realisation
that nothing has changed but the relationship has run its course.
The tenth song Never Looks back offers a break from songs
about girls (not really). This punchy pop punk number is about leaving home and
going after your dreams. Face The World finishes with This Moment. This song
starts off acoustic telling a heartfelt song about being in love with someone
that you know is bad for you. The musical section begins a slow build with
added electric guitar, the bass before the drums kick in for a full on punk
rock assault.
Face The World is a decent album and is crammed with good
songs. The Octopussys are clearly influenced by 90’s punk rock such as Ten Foot
Pole and No Use For A Name and this influence mixed with a modern flair creates
a very good sound. My one complaint about the whole album is the amount of
songs about girls. Don’t get me wrong, they are fantastic songs but I’d like a
bit more variation in the topics.
Stream and buy Face The World here: https://theoctopussys.bandcamp.com/album/face-the-world
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