NOTE: This is a re-write of an album review I wrote for Stereoboard.com back in 2011. It was a rushed effort and I wasn't prude reading it back. Therefore I have edited it, cut it down and raised the quality of writing (I hope).
Since their formation in 1997, New Found Glory have
served as a consistent influence to pop punk bands everywhere, including several I've played in myself. With a back
catalogue consistent enough to stand the test of time, even through periods
where fan loyalty was tested, New Found Glory have transformed from cheeky lads
in beachwear into monoliths of their genre, arguably outshining and
out-gunning go to pop-punkers Blink 182 and Green Day. Where those bands lost
their way and diverted course with, at times, questionable results, New Found
Glory have shone consistently with only one or two blemishes on their careers.
‘Radiosurgery’ is an album to truly serve the devout following they have
garnered, and shows that Jordan Pundik, Chad Gilbert, Steve Klein, Ian Grushka
and Cyrus Bolooki aren’t putting the brakes on just yet.
Within the first twenty seconds of title track ‘Radiosurgery’ (video above),
it becomes apparent that when guitarist Gilbert said on the band’s website that
they “wanted to go back to more of the roots of punk rock and pop punk and put
a whole new NFG spin on it”, he certainly meant it. Its infectious chorus sets a
standard for the album that is met thereafter, especially in the huge ‘Drill It In My Brain’ and the anthemic ‘Map Of Your Body’. Both songs soar and
capture that ‘spirit of the sun’ feeling, which seems to feature in the the best examples of New Found Glory's work. Across the album, all of the elements one craves from this genre are
present - angst, confusion, summer-tinged tones and harmonies to die - they're all
here for the party. There are even nods to the 80s and 90s in songs like 'Dumped' and 'Caught In The Act', the former possessing the kind of key shift other bands only dream of, and the latter possessing a remarkable way of reminding this writer of the musical 'Grease'. Please don't ask me why...
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| Picture by Myriam Santos |
Amidst
the happy riffs and the upbeat tones of ‘Radiosurgery’, however, there lurks a
more mature sort of angst. As NFG have developed their skills as songwriters,
their lyrics too have matured; the subjects of the songs are still easy to
relate to - girl causes confusion and frustration – but the lyrics are a
little less ambiguous this time around, the edge in Pundik’s voice a little too
personal. As a long time fan, it is hard not to notice the fact that there
seems to be a grown man narrating your current relationship predicament, rather
than a young adult with a teenage mindset. Something is troubling whichever
member of the band has provided the backstory for these lyrics; indeed Gilbert
himself told that Alternative Press, ”We’ve had a breakup in our band,
let’s just say that, that was very, very severe and very dangerous. It’s for
them to talk about, not me. Someone pretty much lost their mind [and] did a lot
of things that were pretty scary for all of us. We’ve all been through that…”
It
certainly shows, especially on the storming ‘Memories and Battle Scars’, where Pundik
sings that he wants to “kiss you so hard that your lips bleed” and wants to
“hold you so tight that your ribs break”; despite the romantic sentiment, there
remains the twisted air of a person making sense of the events that have had
such an impact on the NFG camp. This new element doesn’t render New Found Glory
off putting; on the contrary, it sets a realistic and sadly familiar foundation. ‘Radiosurgery’ provides the listener with a new
dimension, whilst possessing a timeless charm. It is an album I can put on at
any point, and I’d imagine that the same could be said for any NFG fan. As
somebody that discovered NFG as a young man, I am happy to still have the band
with me; it is easy to feel that the band has travelled with me through
the years, so I am certain that it will be easy for any NFG fan to pick up ‘Radiosurgery’ and feel
like an old friend has just walked through the door.
Bob
