ALBUM REVIEW: Any Joy – As Friends Rust
After a 22-year wait, AS FRIENDS RUST will finally release their second full-length record Any Joy. The band themselves have been together for over 25 years, ignoring the six-year hiatus between 2002-2008, and, despite now only having two full-length albums, they have a large catalogue of songs under their belts. For them the main aim has always been to put music out for themselves and their lifelong fans with their, and we quote, “we care, but not so much” attitude towards other people’s opinions.
The album itself consists of seven songs that cover all the bases when it comes to sounds and styles of hardcore, punk and rock ‘n’ roll. Opening with the anthemic Final Form, it greets its listeners with the latter two genres with a fast intro that feels modern yet somehow also nostalgic for the 80s with its theatrical yet chill melody. If anything, it would be a perfect road-trip song where everyone in the car has their windows down and is shouting along to the lyrics without a care in the world.
Positive Mental Platitude carries on the upbeat feeling with a fast, bouncy rock beat that you’ll find yourself involuntarily dancing along to. The only drawback is that you might expect things to kick off at the chorus, yet it doesn’t quite hit in the way you’d hope, but you’re still satisfied.
It’s odd to explain but on the one hand you’ll appreciate the band’s cool, laidback attitude, yet at the same time you can’t help but feel that they’re holding back slightly. Either way, you’re not mad and we still have seven solid rock songs to listen to. Two standouts would have to be Great Filter, with an intro that draws slight comparison to A DAY TO REMEMBER’s All I Want, and again where you’ll find yourself involuntarily dancing along, while closing track and recent single No Gods, Some Masters is a catchy rock track with elements that feel quite reminiscent of STONE SOUR, which finishes off the record nicely.
As mentioned, it feels like there should be more when it comes to this album. Any Joy is solid sounding and enjoyable, yet the moments which don’t quite pay off honestly feel like an itch that just can’t be scratched. It feels like AS FRIENDS RUST might be holding back, yet you know that they clearly love what they’ve put out, and you enjoy yourself regardless. Either way, it’s good to see the band finally putting out another full-length album, maybe we won’t need to wait another two decades for the next one?
Rating: 7/10
Any Joy is set for release on September 8th via End Hits Records.
Like AS FRIENDS RUST on Facebook.