Album Review: Rare Instances Of Independent Thinking by I Like Allie (by Lara Roberts)

The first full length from I Like Allie, they began recording this album in 2019 in Milan, and continued through 2020. Due to the pandemic, the band hit a few obstacles during recording and it took longer than planned, but the album was released in October 2021 on Engineer Records (UK), Paper + Plastick (US), No Reason Records (EU), and General Soreness Records (It).

The album itself is an honest exploration of anxiety, depression, peer pressure, and ultimately trying to let negativity go. Opening Number quietly eases the album open, layering vocals with a slight crescendo, while bleeding nicely into Your Superpowers Are Stupid. This is a pop-punk infused treat, with more defined guitars and faster drums, and a hint of them pushing through the “standard” pop-punk sound. Loss and regret are covered in the short song How Weak I Can Be – a sweet little love letter of a tune with lyrics that are easy to relate to. The album sways back and forth between classic melodic pop-punk and incorporating new ideas into the mix, calling on the different musical styles and tastes of each band member (eg. Cliches of Love Stories and title track Rare Instances of Independent Thinking). Laura Stevenson lends her vocals at the end of the album, adding a light, ghostly backdrop to Renato’s lead. 

Here’s the thing. I love 90s emo and melodic hardcore, and I really wanted this album to work for me – Jeff Dean engineered the album (who also worked with Samiam, Braid), and Dan Coutant mastered it (The World Is A Beautiful Place, War On Women), which obviously peaked my interest when I read the press kit. On top of that, I adored I Like Allie’s 2016 emo-pop-punk EP The Wounds You Leave, but I can’t help but feel like there’s something missing from Rare Instances Of Independent Thinking, even though I’m not sure what that thing is.

Saying that, I can’t fault the band for trying a new avenue, and experimenting with maturing their earlier pop-punk/pop-emo sound. There is a gentle vulnerability in Renato’s voice that lends itself very well to that early emo sound, and it really does feel like they’ve taken on a lot of influence from 90s melodic emo bands, and looked to merge it with their own.

Stream and download Rare Instances Of Independent Thinking on Bandcamp here.

Like I Like Allie on Facebook here.

This review was written by Lara Roberts.

Album Review: Fires Forming by The Jukebox Romantics

New Yorkers The Jukebox Romantics released their long awaited new EP Fires Forming at the end of 2021. This was the band’s first new material since their split with The Sewer Rats which was released in 2018. I didn’t really start listening to them until they did a UK tour with our friends Triple Sundae in 2019, followed by a European tour in which they played Hamburg’s Booze Cruise Festival. I was lucky enough to catch them at that festival and absolutely loved their set. I also really enjoyed their Alkaline Trio cover set that they played the same evening. It was honest, heart on your sleeve punk rock that was written to be played in sweaty basements. That’s exactly my kind of thing so I was very keen to check out this EP. Christmas very much got in the way so now, at the beginning of January, I’m finally getting some time to check out Fires Forming.

The five track EP begins with Time To Fly. The track wastes no time in getting started, getting the EP off to a blistering start. Time To Fly is a real call to arms of a song. I don’t know if The Jukebox Romantics really stray much into the realm of politics that often but this track is one that really encourages the listener to stand up and rebel against the people who are supposed to be in charge and helping but are instead using opportunities to capitalise for themselves. This is such an uplifting way to start the EP. Up next is Hey Nora. This was the band’s lead single for the EP and they even made a fun music video featuring some wonderful dance moves. One of my first observations about the track was the pounding drum beat that provides such a thick spine for the song. It’s a simple beat but, boy oh boy, does it drive the song on. The song feels deeply personal and I believe that it’s about seeking answers on how to make the world a better place from a departed loved one. The chorus is a wonderfully catchy one that will have a room of people shouting the lyrics right back at the band.

The third track on Fires Forming is titled Dine Fleisch. On Punknews I came across a quote from the band’s Mike Terry stating that the song is about how we as humans have a choice about what we consume and how animals don’t have that choice. The song is written from the viewpoint of animals at a farming factory who are trying to plot their escape. Given the song’s meaning, it’s perhaps no great surprise that this is one of the heavier songs on the EP. I particularly enjoyed the intensity in the vocals, they really made me pay that extra bit of attention. The penultimate song on the EP is named You Spin Me (Right Said Fred). This song sounds like a bit of a nineties throwback compared to anything else on the EP. It shows that The Jukebox Romantics aren’t afraid to wear their influences on their sleeves. The chorus in particular reminds me of a lot of the melodic skate punk from the 90s and early 2000s era of skate punk. The track has a bit of a chaotic ending with a melody switch and some big harmonies. The final track on the EP is Castaway. On my first listen through of the EP this was the song that stood out the most, with its slow start where the band sing about wanting to get away from their home and finding somewhere better. Soon enough the song kicks in properly and we are treated to a mid tempo basement sing-along. As I listen to the song and read the lyrics, it dawned on me that the idea of leaving a town might be a metaphor and instead the song is about dealing with mental health issues, in particular trying to get through them before it’s too late. This track really has a feeling of a final song, especially with the atmospheric “whoa-ohs” that are included and the long fade out that gives you time to really think about the final lyrics of “get me out of this world before I run out of time.”

Fires Forming is a superb addition to the Jukebox Romantics discography. This really is a solid EP from such a solid band. I only have one gripe with is, I wish they had done an entire album because as soon as it finishes I still want more. Hopefully that’s in the pipeline and they’ll be back in the UK or Europe sooner rather than later. I’m keen for another shout-along.

Stream and download Fires Forming on Bandcamp here.

Like The Jukebox Romantics on Facebook here.

This review was written by Colin Clark.

Album Review: Don't Panic by Neckscars (by Chris Bishton)

Neckscars are one of those bands that I can't quite place how I first heard them. Formed in 2018 and from New York, I haven't seen them live or read anything much about them, but what I did know was I've been really looking forward to this album after hearing a few songs online in recent months.

Don't Panic is their debut full length, recorded last year in two parts thanks to COVID, but released this summer on Sell The Heart Records in the US and Engineer Records in the UK. If you like your gravelly voiced, hook-laden, melodic punk in the vein of Hot Water Music, Dillinger Four, Gameday Regulars et al (three of the four members of Neckscars were in the latter), this is going to be right up your street. 

The album opens up with the first track In Front Of Me. Straight into feedback, smashing drums and then melodic guitars, I know within seconds that I love it. It's animated with those harmonic, sing-a-long vocals that are just simply my favourite type, which is then continued into the second song Born Sick.

The energy is then taken up yet another notch with Jarring, the song released online as a single earlier in the year. The guitars swell and the melodies form to create one of the album's standout tracks.

Unfinished starts a little slower, it is introspective  and compels me to really listen to the narrative. As I do this, the song quickens and fast guitars sync with ringing vocals. I truly love it.

The concluding track of the first half is then Not Enough JPMs. It's a return to the faster combative pace of a couple of the earlier songs, rounding off side one in great style.

Side two offers up much of the same. A couple of tracks with slightly less rapacious guitars than others, but all with the recognisable gruff harmonies that are begging to be played and seen live. Loaded is probably the standout track on this side for me.

The album concludes with First Time, Long Time which features a guest appearance from Jon Snodgrass – another banger – formerly of Drag The River and now serial collaborator on most things gold.

There's lots of familiar punk themes throughout – unsteady self doubt and anxiety. A well trodden orgcore road perhaps, but it just seems to fit so well with this brand of catchy, fist-in-the-air punk.

With 10 songs in 30 minutes, the album also hits the sweet spot for optimum enjoyment of a punk record. There's no duds on here and so the formula means the album retains your whole focus from start to finish.

I've no doubt this will be on my best of the year list, although it has to be said this album won't get the recognition it deserves. People will say they've heard this thing many times before. That maybe the case, but I say "so what?", there's a reason for that and that's because music like this makes my heart beat and soar that little bit higher and faster than usual. Always have and always will. It's why why I love bands like Neckscars and their brand of punk so much.

Stream and download Don’t Panic on Bandcamp here.

Like Neckscars on Facebook here.

This review was written by Chris Bishton.