Jonny Katt and Josh Hatfield form the nuclease
of the band, with dual guitars and vocals.
Bassist Derek holds down a solid low end and
Andrew not only drums but adds well-timed
contrasts through the gentle art of screaming. In
the sugar-pumped radio-friendly punk-pop
Lenoir, appealing gutsy guitar riffs are
layered with clean singing that is overcome
occasionally with the more emotionally tortured
rantings of Andrew with lines like Its over
when its over, evoking the best of MXPX. What
I Meant to Say is more driving, with a chugging
riff, tasty drum stick clicks in the chorus and a
cheerful melody that exudes joyous youthful
exuberance in the proud Green Day tradition.
Ultra-compressed buzzing guitars forming big
riffs out of bigger guitars pervade Still I Am
Nothing. This song also sports dueling lead
vocals and their typical surgically clean
production, backed by a strong melody that would
appeal to fans of Senses Fail or As I Lay Dying.
From The Beginning starts with a quieter guitar
part, but 20 seconds later they make up for it
with a flurry of double kick drums and metal
guitars in a breakneck pace as the screaming
attacks the melodic vocals, seeking vengeance for
sins of the past. More metal influence is present
on Begging For Acceptance, but only in the
guitar tone; the attitude and melody are pure
modern punk. The harsh guitars and higher
quotient of screaming makes this song slightly
different from the other tracks, but it never
betrays its punk energy, sending the listener off
with a happy boot to the behind.
While running a mere 17 minutes, The Art of
Saving Yourself is crammed with enough energy
to overflow most longer albums. Each of the five
tracks exhibits their mastery of their
instruments as well as the art of songwriting,
making for a brisk but very enjoyable listen. For
more information and to hear song samples, visit
www.thrivingrecords.net.