New Found Glory - Radiosurgery (26/10/2011)
As far as pop-punk goes, New Found Glory and their new album Radiosurgery is definitely up there with the best of the bunch.
Formed more than ten years ago, the band’s seventh album [released 4th October] still holds the sound that is so identifiable to NFG. This time, however, the quintet from Florida strove for a twist. Having their roots set in punk-rock, the band’s mission for this album was to ‘bridge the gap’ between old punk and new punk. The boys went back in time to the 1990s when the band was born and reconnected with their original inspirations: Green Day, Rancid, and The Ramones.
Now to the music itself; it’s easy to hear NFG’s common inspirations of All Time Low (but ten times better may I just add), Sum 41, and even a boppier version of Anberlin. You’ve got the repetitive and catchy guitar riffs, lyrics for the first-world slightly angsty teen, and – of course – hand claps. New Found Glory obviously made these songs with a particular target audience in mind and for the young teenagers that will be grabbing at the album on the shelves of JB-HI-FI, the band won’t disappoint.
Like any album, there are a few drawbacks: I know it’s a part of New Found Glory’s charm but after the fifth song about love/lust/etc, you can’t help but get a tad bored. Don’t get me wrong, the music in itself is awesome – the drums at the beginning of ‘Dumped’ are very promising – but even more-pop-than-punk bands need to have a little more substance than just one simple love-struck theme.
But the key question is this: does Radiosurgery reflect the band’s mission of bringing back the essence of punk and its icons? No, not really. If I hadn’t Googled the album before writing this review I never would’ve guessed their purpose. Listening hard, there are a few hints audible in the opening guitar riffs of some songs. In come the vocals, however, and punk attempts to fly out the window but hits the glass instead. Sorry, guys.
I’ll give the band some credit, though: beneath the light melodies hides a deeper meaning. The album was brought about after a long-term relationship came to an end for one of the band members; the gravity of this is displayed in no better way than in the album title. Written as a concept album, the term ‘radiosurgery’ is used as a metaphor in dealing with a break-up. The idea is that instead of removing a tumor from the brain, one could remove memories instead. Deep.
In all, if you’re a fan of New Found Glory or pop punk in general, then picking it up won’t be a bad idea. Even if the band didn’t deliver the punk-ness that was promised, the record is still top stuff. Seven albums into their career and the boys are still going strong – which is more than what can be said about most bands in that genre. Have a listen!
Olivia Fusca
Formed more than ten years ago, the band’s seventh album [released 4th October] still holds the sound that is so identifiable to NFG. This time, however, the quintet from Florida strove for a twist. Having their roots set in punk-rock, the band’s mission for this album was to ‘bridge the gap’ between old punk and new punk. The boys went back in time to the 1990s when the band was born and reconnected with their original inspirations: Green Day, Rancid, and The Ramones.
Now to the music itself; it’s easy to hear NFG’s common inspirations of All Time Low (but ten times better may I just add), Sum 41, and even a boppier version of Anberlin. You’ve got the repetitive and catchy guitar riffs, lyrics for the first-world slightly angsty teen, and – of course – hand claps. New Found Glory obviously made these songs with a particular target audience in mind and for the young teenagers that will be grabbing at the album on the shelves of JB-HI-FI, the band won’t disappoint.
Like any album, there are a few drawbacks: I know it’s a part of New Found Glory’s charm but after the fifth song about love/lust/etc, you can’t help but get a tad bored. Don’t get me wrong, the music in itself is awesome – the drums at the beginning of ‘Dumped’ are very promising – but even more-pop-than-punk bands need to have a little more substance than just one simple love-struck theme.
But the key question is this: does Radiosurgery reflect the band’s mission of bringing back the essence of punk and its icons? No, not really. If I hadn’t Googled the album before writing this review I never would’ve guessed their purpose. Listening hard, there are a few hints audible in the opening guitar riffs of some songs. In come the vocals, however, and punk attempts to fly out the window but hits the glass instead. Sorry, guys.
I’ll give the band some credit, though: beneath the light melodies hides a deeper meaning. The album was brought about after a long-term relationship came to an end for one of the band members; the gravity of this is displayed in no better way than in the album title. Written as a concept album, the term ‘radiosurgery’ is used as a metaphor in dealing with a break-up. The idea is that instead of removing a tumor from the brain, one could remove memories instead. Deep.
In all, if you’re a fan of New Found Glory or pop punk in general, then picking it up won’t be a bad idea. Even if the band didn’t deliver the punk-ness that was promised, the record is still top stuff. Seven albums into their career and the boys are still going strong – which is more than what can be said about most bands in that genre. Have a listen!
Olivia Fusca