I was in love with Catholic Guilt the second I heard their band name. I’m not Catholic– let’s put that out there right now– but my mom grew up Catholic and, just from the stories she tells, I feel like I know it’s not the religion for me. I kind of chuckled at reading “Catholic Guilt” just because it felt so true but it also had me intrigued. Was I going to get an anti-religion type band that sings strictly about religion? Or was I going to get an angsty sound that would take me back to my teenage years. I was hoping for the latter but, regardless, I was excited as I hit play on this five song EP.
The album starts with “A Boutique Affair” and, as suspected, I was instantly in love. “It’s hard to make friends in your 20’s. It’s even harder to make them in your 30’s…” Yeah, this track instantly spoke to me. The heavy hitting drums mixed with the smooth and pop-punk type vocals were perfect. Move over The Menzingers, I have a new pop-punk band obsession to get me through this weird year. I instantly picked up on an Australian accent which honestly made this band stand out to me. I know the Australian surf and skate punk scene but honestly had no clue there was a pop-punk scene over there. Now that I know, I expect to be up all night digging into it a bit deeper.
“Song of the Renter” may only be the second track on this EP but the contrast between this track and “A Boutique Affair” told me everything I needed to know about this band’s versatility. There’s something painful about this track. Okay, maybe not painful, but just a bit more emotional. The heavy hitting drums are still prominent and the fun-loving group vocals keep the pop-punk sound alive but this track takes a turn for a more Emo vibe. This song is also beyond catching. The chorus is one of those lines that instantly gets stuck in your head and I wouldn’t be surprised if I found myself humming along to it as I fall asleep tonight.
“And when you get home you’ll go to sleep in my old band T-shirt. The one I bought when I was fifteen and angry at the world and I never thought I’d find someone who understood…” Those are my favorite lyrics in the third track, “Life in Three Part Harmony”. I mean, come on, those lyrics just speak to anyone who is a thirty-something like myself with a hardcore music addiction and a tough time at keeping significant others. “Music is the dialect of your soul”. Please tell me those words don’t just speak to you. This song made me feel so many things and I loved every single moment. Definitely the most tender track on this release, it was an instant favorite and a song that I will surely be going back to anytime I just need a moment to breathe and remember the power that music can have on so many people.
“The Awful Truth” starts with a sense of power that definitely shook me from the dreamworld that “Life in Three Part Harmony” had me lost in. Think old school Valencia meets something a bit more poppy like The Click Five, there’s something infectiously fun about this track. Maybe it’s the skippy drum beat or the way the vocals just dance over that drumbeat with a sense of ease. Regardless, this song had me bobbing up and down in my office chair like a damn idiot.
Closing out this all-too-quick EP is “Nothing…”. Although I was expecting a triumphant ending after the energy that “The Awful Truth” gave me, “Nothing…” is the most calming track on this album. That being said, there’s no lack of energy. This track is full blown emotion and feeling. It’s one of those songs that gives you goosebumps without even trying. There’s just something so raw about it and you can feel the weight of each word as they pass by. Although this wasn’t what I was expecting for a final track on this release, it was perfect and a brilliant period to an amazing album.
“Catholic guilt” may or may not be a real thing. I honestly don’t know and can only speculate but, what I do know is that Catholic Guilt is one hell of a band and I can’t wait to hear more from them.
I was in love with Catholic Guilt the second I heard their band name. I’m not Catholic– let’s put that out there right now– but my mom grew up Catholic and, just from the stories she tells, I feel like I know it’s not the religion for me. I kind of chuckled at reading “Catholic Guilt” just because it felt so true but it also had me intrigued. Was I going to get an anti-religion type band that sings strictly about religion? Or was I going to get an angsty sound that would take me back to my teenage years. I was hoping for the latter but, reagardless, I was excited as I hit play on this five song EP.
The album starts with “A Boutique Affair” and, as suspected, I was instantly in love. “It’s hard to make friends in your 20’s. It’s even harder to make them in your 30’s…” Yeah, this track instantly spoke to me. The heavy hitting drums mixed with the smooth and pop-punk type vocals were perfect. Move over The Menzingers, I have a new pop-punk band obsession to get me through this weird year. I instantly picked up on an Australian accent which honestly made this band stand out to me. I know the Australian surf and skate punk scene but honestly had no clue there was a pop-punk scene over there. Now that I know, I expect to be up all night digging into it a bit deeper.
“Song of the Renter” may only be the second track on this EP but the contrast between this track and “A Boutique Affair” told me everything I needed to know about this band’s versatility. There’s something painful about this track. Okay, maybe not painful, but just a bit more emotional. The heavy hitting drums are still prominent and the fun-loving group vocals keep the pop-punk sound alive but this track takes a turn for a more Emo vibe. This song is also beyond catching. The chorus is one of those lines that instanly gets stuck in your head and I wouldn’t be surprised if I found myself humming along to it as I fall asleep tonight.
“And when you get home you’ll go to sleep in my old band T-shirt. The one I bought when I was fifteen and angry at the world and I never thought I’d find someone who understood…” Those are my favorite lyric in the third track, “Life in Three Part Harmony”. I mean, come on, those lyrics just speak to anyone who is a thirty-something like myself with a hardcore music addiction and a tough time at keeping significant others. “Music is the dialect of your soul”. Please tell me those words don’t just speak to you. This song made me feel so many things and I loved every single moment. Definitely the most tender track on this release, it was an instant favorite and a song that I will surely be going back to anytime I just need a moment to breathe and remember the power that music can have on so many people.
“The Awful Truth” starts with a sense of power that definitely shook me from the dreamworld that “Life in Three Part Harmony” had me lost in. Think old school Valencia meets something a bit more poppy like The Click Five, there’s something infectiously fun about this track. Maybe it’s the skippy drum beat or the way the vocals just dance over that drumbeat with a sense of ease. Regardless, this song had me bopping up and down in my office chair like a damn idiot.
Closing out this all-too-quick EP is “Nothing…”. Although I was expecting a triumphant ending after the energy that “The Awful Truth” gave me, “Nothing…” is the most calming track on this album. That being said, there’s no lack of energy. This track is full blown emotion and feeling. It’s one of those songs that gives you goosebumps without even trying. There’s just something to raw about it and you can feel the weight of each word as they pass by. Although this wasn’t what I was expecting for a final track on this release, it was perfect and a brilliant period to an amazing album.
“Catholic guilt” may or may not be a real thing. I honestly don’t know and can only speculate but, what I do know is that Catholic Guilt is one hell of a band and I can’t wait to hear more from them.
My Favorite Track(s): “A Boutique Affair”; “Life In Three Part Harmony”
For Fans Of: Emo; Pop-punk; Feelings
Daydream-ability: 7.3 out of 10
What My Cats Thought Of It: Artie went crazy on a catnip toy; Autumn watched a squirrel out my window
How Badly I Want To See This Performed Live: 9.5 out of 10
My Overall Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Check Out Catholic Guilt Here:
Check out ‘This Is What Honesty Sounds Like’ HERE!
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