ALBUM REVIEW: Where You Found Me – Stateside
For any fans of fun summer time pop-punk music, look no further than the debut album by US rockers; STATESIDE. After a smattering of singles and an EP over the years, they have finally released their first ever album, Where You Found Me, whilst nothing original in its sound, it has a nostalgic feel, not for the forefathers of pop-punk like GREEN DAY and BLINK-182, but more recent pop-punk bands, most notably NECK DEEP, they have got to that point in their career where bands can cite them as influences which makes your 31 year old pop-punk knees start to feel very old.
Heads Up, Big Guy launches into the fray almost instantly in what is a fun and raucous opener. It’s fun, fast paced and features that quintessential pop-punk sound we have come to know and love over the years. You can almost feel the scuffed vans, skinny jeans and a checked shirt appearing on your person whilst listening. It’s a great fun opener with a great vibe and even greater bounce to its melody. Stay Sweet keeps up the tempo of the record and features Joe Taylor of KNUCKLE PUCK, another pop-punk band who have now been around long enough to be considered influential to newer bands (this realisation will now add on ten years to your life). This track builds upon the album opener with Taylor adding some gravitas to the song by reigning in the sound of the vocals which compliment the whiny style of singing perfectly. The guitars are punchy and the drums sound good, it’s a great song to have on whilst chilling with your mates. If it had come out in the 2000s, you can guarantee the music video for this song would take place at a house party. STATESIDE waste absolutely no time with this record, Vista Verde (So Far, So Good) continues the streak of fun and enjoyable tracks which is a great portent for the record and the rest of the songs to come.
The End’s Not Near, It’s Here slows proceedings ever so briefly with what feels like an acoustic led track before launching into another tour de force track that packs a punch which is full of fun, charm and heart as it becomes a front runner for best track on the album. Like A Rosary builds up to a huge chorus and sing-along to boot, the dual guitars sounding off against one another keeps the tension of the track brewing until it bursts into an arena sized sing-along as it makes Where You Found Me go from strength to strength. Aly’s Song (So Close, So Far) combines old and new. The NECK DEEP style singing returns in a victorious manner, whilst musically it’s like early BLINK-182 with its chugging and rough around the edge and fast paced guitar sound. Even the vocalisation sounds like a Mark Hoppus bit throughout the track. On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, wins the title for most emo song title on the album and is a classic homage to an acoustic pop-punk album, once again tricking you into thinking a slow song is being played. However, toward the end, we are thrown back into the fray of the arena sized anthem with a great piece of orchestral music combining with the huge guitars that contributes to the epicness of the track.
Bitter Spring begins the final stretch of the album and is perhaps the weakest part of the record, but it is by no means bad at all, it just doesn’t hit as hard as the other tracks that came before it. California Calls You Home, the penultimate track is another banger on the record and is by far and away the most aggressive sounding song on the album. The guitars hit a little harder than others on the record and even feature some harsh/screamy vocals which make this song stand out a little more than rest, all whilst featuring David Lona as a guest vocalist. Mile Marker brings Where You Found Me to a victorious close. It’s a track that feels like a finale and sees STATESIDE giving their all one last time. There isn’t a dull moment throughout the track and every aspect of it is concise and fits perfectly. It’s a track that emits joy and fun, which is what pop-punk is all about at the end of the day.
Where You Found Me is a great debut offering from STATESIDE, whilst there is nothing new in the sound, it’s pure enjoyment from start to finish as it makes you yearn for those summer days spent at mates houses with your closest friends. Whilst pop-punk isn’t quite the huge genre it used to be, it’s a great reminder that it can still make us feel something at an emotional level. If their music is of this quality on their debut album then that quality is only going to be built upon for years to come.
Rating: 8/10
Where You Found Me is out now now via Pure Noise Records.
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