Album Review: A Face For Radio - E.P. Phone Home

Texas' A Face For Radio are the latest in the expanding line of "pop-punkcore", with 'E.P. Phone Home'. Its an EP that rides on the coat tails of bands like Four Year Strong; crunching guitars with singalong pop-punk vocals. 'It's Official, I'm Over It' opens the EP and is pretty much what you expect; pounding drums, group singalongs and heavy guitars. Whilst it is predictable, its a sound that is favourable and suits the band.

However 'The Physically Impossibe Task Of Watching Your Own Back' is a slightly more mellow affair, that leans towards the bands pop-punk side, rather than the "hardcore" side. Wayde Hunt's lead vocals work nicely alongside James Ivey and Tristan Swire's backing vocals and guitars, although it is not the strongest track here.

'Bearing The Bad News (All Damn Day)' is a more upbeat track, with a party-like atmosphere and is a sound that is ideal for this quintet. Artist vs. Poet's Tarcy Thomason makes an appearance on 'Old Pictures Of New Friends', which brings a more pop-friendly voice to the bands heavy sound. However the band structurally and stylistically do not move away from the sound they have now established here.

The closing 'With God As My Witness' is perhaps one of two recommended tracks here; with 'It's Official, I'm Over It' being the other. It's spiky guitars, thriving, fast drums create a favourable sound, with Hunt's vocals once again taking charge well as it is clear that the band have a good understanding of the pop-punk formula.

Sure A Face For Radio aren't revolutionary in terms of sound and style, but these five songs here are a good starting point for the band, and with a style that is popular at the moment, they have the potential to grow.

To round this review off, I'd say 'E.P. Phone Home' is an energetic slice of heavy pop-punk, that is promising from start to finish with A Face For Radio making good use of their skills and influences.

4/5

'E.P. Phone Home' by A Face For Radio is available now.

A Face For Radio on MySpace and Twitter.

Sean Reid