ALBUM REVIEW: Fever Dream – Grumpster

With a band name like GRUMPSTER, there is going to be a lot of attention on you. Luckily, the punk trio from California have an ace up their sleeve when it comes to music. Despite their debut album, Underwhelmed, being unable to be played live due to the pandemic, that didn’t stop GRUMPSTER from releasing more music. Produced by Chris #2 from ANTI-FLAG, Fever Dream is going to be more than its title suggests.

The title track kicks things off, and the high energy punk is like getting cold water thrown onto you on a hot day. GREEN DAY a big inspiration for vocalist and bassist Donnie Walsh, and although the influences can be heard throughout the album, GRUMPSTER still stick to their own path. This helps them carve out their own identity. Crash keeps up the high energy of the previous song. Whilst the lyrics might seem very surface level (“It’s dark inside / Every time I close my eyes / And dream of flying away“), they are sung with such honesty that the listener doesn’t care. Furthermore, isn’t honesty the best policy? Why should anyone hide behind metaphors?

Despite the acoustic start, Better Than Dead keeps up the high energy. Fever Dream is the band’s second album, but it is their debut album on their new record label, Pure Noise Records. Some bands might get nervous about releasing a record on a label this big – this is the album that the general public will be listening to, after all – but thankfully GRUMPSTER are confident enough in their sound to not let this deter them.

In fact, they even throw in an acoustic track to break up the energy a bit. This is the fifth song, and it’s called Vicious. For most other bands, this would probably feel very out of place, especially with whistled background vocals. However, GRUMPSTER clearly have a lot of trust in their producer. Chris #2 clearly knows his craft because he keeps the pacing ticking along nicely. Whether it’s the thrash punk of Looking Good or the hard rock of Enjoy It While It Lasts, the overall flow and movement of the album never falters.

Some bands can suffer from sophomore slump, where their second album is not as good as their first. GRUMPSTER have easily avoided this. Instead of repeating the same old sounds, they expand upon the sound that was established in their debut album.

Fever Dream is much more than the name suggests. Instead of being something that is incomprehensible, strange and out-of-this-world, GRUMPSTER‘s second album is a fantastic piece of work. Expertly produced by Chris #2, the trio never let go of their vision for one second. GRUMPSTER clearly know what direction they want to go into. This band are confident in their sound. For a second album, this is a wonder. The pacing never falters, and the instruments are at the top of their game. The vocals are also brilliant, and even if the lyrics might seem surface level to some, the honesty behind them makes it all worthwhile. GRUMPSTER are here to stay, and this album is one hell of a record.

Rating: 9/10

Fever Dream is out now via Pure Noise Records.

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