New Found Glory: Makes Me Sick
Pop-punk heroes New Found Glory return with their ninth full length record, Makes Me Sick. The band have departed from the heavy hardcore influences of previous record "Resurrection" in favour of a synth driven sound. Indeed, opener "Your Jokes Aren't Funny" contains a synth line that wouldn't be out of place in a Motion City Soundtrack track. It's a little bit underpowered as an opening song but saved by a crunchy riffed chorus.
Unsurprisingly, previously released singles "Party On Apocalypse" and "Happy Being Miserable" are two of the record's stronger tracks but anxiety anthem "Call Me Anti-Social" has become a firm favourite of mine, its use of keys echoing the band's previous pop-rock LP "Coming Home" with a smidge of "Failure's Not Flattering" and backed up with a fine guitar solo. "Blurred Vision" is a slower piano infused effort which also would not have been out of place on Coming Home. A touch saccharine for me, but not as saccharine as "Short and Sweet". "I don't deserve someone as beautiful as you" is a vomit inducing lyric, but it's the only real dud on the record.
"The Sound Of Two Voices" is probably the record's most interesting track, combining cowbells and calypso rhythms. It's difficult to think of another NFG song quite like it and it's heartening to see the band continuing to push themselves creatively. But you're never too far away from a stone cold banger. "Say It Don't Spray It" is a decent tune but "Barbed Wire" is one of the best songs that the band have written for years. Spiky guitars and a sprinkling of 80s style keys, it's a thrilling amalgam of everything the band are trying to achieve with this record.
If you're not already into New Found Glory or pop-punk, Makes Me Sick is unlikely to change your mind. But it's another fine collection of songs from one of the giants of the genre. As the band enter their third decade, it's difficult to assess how much longer they might continue. But at the very least I hope they make it to double figures in studio albums.
There have been some very sniffy reviews of this record, from the sort of people I suspect were into NFG for a couple of records back in their heyday before moving on to the next thing. But that's not me. 15 years since I bought "Sticks and Stones" and "Understatement" burst through my headphones and changed it all, I still love this band. I'm delighted that they're still here and can't wait for the autumn anniversary tour.
Unsurprisingly, previously released singles "Party On Apocalypse" and "Happy Being Miserable" are two of the record's stronger tracks but anxiety anthem "Call Me Anti-Social" has become a firm favourite of mine, its use of keys echoing the band's previous pop-rock LP "Coming Home" with a smidge of "Failure's Not Flattering" and backed up with a fine guitar solo. "Blurred Vision" is a slower piano infused effort which also would not have been out of place on Coming Home. A touch saccharine for me, but not as saccharine as "Short and Sweet". "I don't deserve someone as beautiful as you" is a vomit inducing lyric, but it's the only real dud on the record.
"The Sound Of Two Voices" is probably the record's most interesting track, combining cowbells and calypso rhythms. It's difficult to think of another NFG song quite like it and it's heartening to see the band continuing to push themselves creatively. But you're never too far away from a stone cold banger. "Say It Don't Spray It" is a decent tune but "Barbed Wire" is one of the best songs that the band have written for years. Spiky guitars and a sprinkling of 80s style keys, it's a thrilling amalgam of everything the band are trying to achieve with this record.
If you're not already into New Found Glory or pop-punk, Makes Me Sick is unlikely to change your mind. But it's another fine collection of songs from one of the giants of the genre. As the band enter their third decade, it's difficult to assess how much longer they might continue. But at the very least I hope they make it to double figures in studio albums.
There have been some very sniffy reviews of this record, from the sort of people I suspect were into NFG for a couple of records back in their heyday before moving on to the next thing. But that's not me. 15 years since I bought "Sticks and Stones" and "Understatement" burst through my headphones and changed it all, I still love this band. I'm delighted that they're still here and can't wait for the autumn anniversary tour.
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