Tuesday October 11, 2011

By Frances Roach

Now with 7 full-length albums to their name, New Found Glory, one of the long standing pioneers of pop punk are back with Radiosurgery. From the first spin, it is obvious that this latest release from the Floridian five-piece has a much higher pop-to-punk ratio than previous full length release, Not Without A Fight.

Opening with the radio-friendly current single and title song, ‘Radiosurgery’, immediately gives the sense that this is an upbeat record with good potential, although it is doubtful many radio stations will choose to give it any airplay over the more generic pop songs currently out there. Nevertheless, ‘Anthem for the Unwanted’, ‘Ready, Aim, Fire!’ and ‘Dumped’ are likely to soon be live favourites, with their punchy choruses practically asking for a sing-along.

The classic NFG sound is imminent in songs ‘Drill It In My Brain’ and ‘Summer Fling, Don’t Mean A Thing’, with well crafted melodies and pop punk riffs that they are known for in the genre they have helped to expand over the past decade. ‘Caught In The Act’ features vocals from Bethany Cosentino of up-and-coming indie trio Best Coast, providing a surf pop element and harmony to the track. Although the album has no majorly outstanding track, it maintains consistency throughout, sticking to their true sound.

With their upcoming ‘Pop Punk’s Not Dead’ tour in the States and with the same release period as fellow pop punk heroes Blink 182, this record helps to support the claim that pop punk is still alive and fully relevant. Long term NFG listeners will be satisfied as it is reminiscent of previous albums Sticks & Stones and Coming Home. Not mind-blowing, but worthy of a good post-summer headbop.

3.5/5

Download: Radiosurgery, Drill It In My Brain, Anthem For The Unwanted 

Epitaph Records