My friend and I bought our flights to Las Vegas for Punk Rock Bowling today. That has absolutely nothing to do with this review but it’s all I really have on my mind right now. Well, that and the fact that I have two real-life concerts this weekend?! Things are coming up Girl at the Rock Shows right now and I need some music to match that mood. Let’s see if ‘Old Things’ from American Thrills will do the trick!
This quick four-song EP kicks off with “Discount Casket” which instantly spoke to my nostalgia-seeking heart. This opening track is so full of power, angst, and familiar vibes but also something completely no. Banner Pilot, Dead to Me, The Gaslight Anthem– I mean, let me just rattle off all of my favorite bands and I can find something in this opening track that makes me think of them. Perfectly mastered, every single note from every instrument and every word comes through crystal clear giving this opening track a real hook that had me addicted instantly. Sadly, like the bands I just rattled off, this track is quick and after just two and a half minutes, the EP had moved on regardless of if I was ready or not (which I was not).
“Stranger” kicks off with pounding drums before anthemic-styled guitars come in and take over. There’s something a bit more tender about the vocals in this track but there’s still no denying the angst and emotion that comes with every word. This song hit me right in the gut lyrically, I feel like it was telling the story of my life as I find myself falling out of touch with some friends that were once extremely close to me. The words hit hard and don’t shy away from sensitive topics but, you know me, I’m not going to give it all away. You’ll just have to listen to this track for yourself to catch the entire storyline!
The title track of this EP was instantly my favorite. This third track seems to bring both the angst from “Discount Casket” and the pain-tinged words from “Stranger” and combine them into an anthemic pop-punk track that is sure to bug the crap out of my co-workers when I play it on repeat all day tomorrow. I feel like reviewing this kind of music is hard for me. I feel like I have this odd attachment to this style and songs that have words that speak so closely to my soul. Maybe it’s because I’m just a super guarded person to begin with, but I fear if I tell you too many of my thoughts on this track, you just wouldn’t get it because it feels so personal to me. What I’m trying to say is I’m lost for words or at least lacking good words to do this song justice so, just listen to it– hell just listen to this entire EP.
Had this album been thirty songs long, it still wouldn’t have been enough for me so the fact that “Wandering” had already taken over my speakers and was the last track on the release was like pure torture. Again, I found myself completely lost in the perfect balance that American Thrills has between energy, angst, and tenderness. It’s truly something stunning and it leads to a super-powerful EP that I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of.
I feel like I haven’t said enough about this release but honestly, I’m just lost for words. If you’re a nostalgia seeker like me and are feeling completely lost being in your 30’s and feeling like that angst-filled music is the only thing keeping you sane right now, American Thrills is the band for you. I’ll just leave it at that.
My Favorite Track(s): “Old Things”
For Fans Of: Nostalgia; Genuinely good music; Angst
Mosh-ability: 9 out of 10
What My Cats Thought Of It: Both cats hid upstairs because I was literally blaring this from my downstairs speakers
How Badly I Want To See This Performed Live: 10 out of 10
My Overall Rating: 10 out of 10
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