Some call it a guilty pleasure, some turn up their noses and others just live for it. I am talking, of course, about pop-punk ‘-‘- that ubiquitous genre that has been infiltrating rock radio, MTV, high school parties, skate parks and shopping malls across the country since the mid-1990s. With its upbeat melodies, catchy hooks and signature croons/yelps/screams, pop-punk has solidified its place in mainstream America.
Many of these bands come and go, never to be heard of again (American Hi-Fi, Fenix TX, Cartel), but New Found Glory has been steadily churning out shiny pop-punk gems since 1997, and while SPIN Magazine complains that NFG ‘struggles to evolve,’ the group’s consistency is part of what makes them so likeable and entertaining.
The formula on their latest release ‘Not Without a Fight,’ produced by Blink -182’s Mark Hoppus, never fails to satisfy, yet is certainly no different than past efforts ‘-‘- filled with heartfelt lyrics about girls and friends, incredibly catchy sing-a-longs and high-energy guitar riffs.
While recently dabbling in hardcore rock, with a number of releases on hardcore mainstay Bridge Nine Records, NFG has certainly adopted some of the more aggressive aspects of the genre and seamlessly incorporated them into ‘Not Without a Fight,’ as evident by such songs as ‘I’ll Never Love Again’ and ‘Such a Mess.’ Don’t be surprised to hear a heavy breakdown followed by a poppy chorus, and don’t be shocked that it works so well.
‘Not Without a Fight’ won’t win any Grammy’s, it won’t be remixed by MSTRKRFT and it won’t appear in Vice Magazine ‘-‘- but it will put a smile on your face and remind you that music is supposed to be fun.
NFG will play the House of Blues April 30 with Bayside and Set Your Goals.
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