[MUSIC REVIEW] Shambles – s/t EP [UNSIGNED]

SHAMBLES
Shambles EP
[Unsigned]
Verdict: 7/10
RIYL: Pop punk
With apologies to all of the technical/progressive/intellectual music I listen to, sometimes you just want to pop in a “fun” album. Boston’s own SHAMBLES have crafted an album that, while it didn’t leave my brain in shambles (pardon the pun), it had me bobbing my head quite a bit. I thoroughly enjoyed tracks like opener “Yep, 27 and Still Writing Pop-Punk” for its nostalgia and catchiness. I’m pretty sure if that song were written ten years ago, the band would be huge. Its soaring chorus will get stuck in your head. In fact, that is the best aspect of the band: how it sounds like the pop punk of the late 90s/early 2000s. It’s nothing groundbreaking or even “new”, but I’ll be damned if it’s a perfect distillation of what I loved so much about the music back then. The music is not half bad, either. The guitar certainly loves power chords, but there are enough leads to keep it interesting. Also, the drums are solid throughout. For an unsigned band, the recording quality is fine. It’s crisp but retains the energy of a live recording. While SHAMBLES doesn’t break new ground on this EP, it’s a short and sweet dose of fun and nostalgic punk. Fans of the music of ten years ago will enjoy this. – by Nicholas Senior
>> Recommended Listening: “Yep, 27 and Still Writing Pop-Punk”
>> Production Notes: Recorded with Ian Van Opijnen at Echo Room
>> Release Date: January 16th, 2012
>> In Conclusion: If you’d like to listen to a band that enjoyed the pop punk of the late 90s/early 00s as you did, then give SHAMBLES a shot. Their nostalgic sound and good execution create a fun and enjoyable listen.