EP REVIEW: Time Stopper – Todd Morse

TODD MORSE established himself in the punk rock scene early on, first playing in bands like H2O and JULIETTE & THE LICKS, and more recently taking over as the bass player for THE OFFSPRING, who are easily one of the most influential bands in pop punk. Clearly, his musical abilities extend to more than just bass playing, as he began his solo career a few years ago. Now, his most recent offering after his debut album is the Time Stopper EP. Off the back of signing to Manic Kat Records, he attempts to blend the classic sounds of the genre he loves with a fresh, modern delivery.

Opening with immediately upbeat guitars is Everything Fun (Is Bad For Me), a light-hearted exploration of managing excitement and responsibilities in a classic pop-punk sound. A guitar solo comes extremely quickly, making the structure a tiny bit questionable. The vocals are good, with an easy-listening feel, and while the lyrics aren’t necessarily deep as maybe intended, a memorable, relatable chorus is created in the short span of the song. Next is Screaming Babies, a light-hearted joke-style song with heaps of attitude. The funky instrumental makes it a fun song, giving it an almost theatrical feel. While the lyrics are slightly debatable, it’s clear they aren’t meant to be taken seriously, and they definitely make the track unique.

This Is Not My Armageddon is a bit different from the others, and possibly a favourite. The lyrics feel pretty well-written, and the chorus in particular isn’t far off an anthem-like vibe. The bridge switches things up a lot, and it’s definitely satisfying to hear. If anything, this song feels a little too short. All The Rules is likeable from the beginning, but the instrumentals can begin to feel a bit repetitive at this point, with most songs following the same blueprint. The guitars on this one change things up a bit, which is definitely a good thing. The vocals are more interesting on this track too, demonstrating a range with some cool high notes. Closing the EP is Making Time Stop, a slightly cheesy but nostalgic track that ends the record on a high note. It brings back that theatrical feeling, and it could easily fit into a musical, which is meant as a compliment.

Time Stopper fits in well with the early pop-punk style, and while it isn’t necessarily revolutionary now, it could serve a good nostalgic purpose for many people. TODD MORSE has definitely created a feel-good EP, and where it isn’t overly deep or experimental, it makes up for it in fun and attitude.

Rating: 6/10

Time Stopper is set for release on March 24th via Manic Kat Records.

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