Review
MAN OVERBOARD – MAN OVERBOARD
Released 26th September 2011 (Rise Records)
Words: Richard Heaven
Love them or hate them, Rise Records have been making waves in the pop punk scene as of late. One of their latest releases is the latest album by the geeks-done-good Man Overboard. Their debut full length ‘Real Talk’ saw them shoot into the mainstream but has lighting managed to strike twice?
The answer to that is no. While Man Overboard have kept their knack for penning anthemic pop punk for the underdog, there is something about this album which feels a little forced to me. It’s as if they have become uncomfortably aware of their reputation and felt the need to play up to it resulting in a few tracks sounding a little too washy for their own good.
Thats not to say that theres no good tracks on the album though – far from it! Picture Perfect sounds like the child of ’97 Saves The Day and their modern incarnation while Night Feelings proves that Man Overboard can still write good straight forward positive pop punk. Dead End Dreams acoustic intro is sure to become a live favourite while Voted Most Likely is typical Man Overboard.
Unfortunately Dead End Dreams would have been a perfect opening track but that honour goes to Rare, a rather number which can’t seem to make it’s mind up between imitating Set Your Goals or All Time Low. Spunn, Nightfeelings and Atlas are just forgettable – sugary pop punk for the masses.
If you’re a Man Overboard fan already then there’s definitely something here for you but if you’ve always been a little unsure then this album probably won’t change your mind.
