In Review
fresh air as it manages to stay upbeat and encouraging; it’s a burst of positive energy and, with a fantastic arrangement, the song manages to steer clear of any dull moments.
a pleasant surprise. This track manages to catch the listener off guard in all the right ways, making it far too easy to hit the replay button.
Triggers made the right choice in showcasing these The drums in the second verse drop off into a tom two songs prior to their release as they each dembased rhythm which leaves space for an immedi- onstrate a different style, while still maintaining a ate and crushing group chant of ‘Are you pleased?’ signature sound. Wilks, who stands well over six feet tall, would be a powerful enough presence, but having the whole “Onwards and Upwards” is more technical and band join in? Well played guys. This section sets a heavy, whereas “Gaining Ground” exhibits their precedent for the rest of the song, one that is up- ability to write a catchy, well arranged song. The held quite flawlessly. rest of the EP is a nice blend of these two approaches and never strays far from their punk roots. The bridge introduces a change of pace, with a rhythmically catchy guitar riff that fades into an I’d say this is a pop punk band that everyone should open canvas, one that Wilks leisurely paints with check out, for the simple fact that they cover the final chorus. As the listener is quickly lulled into enough ground to appeal to a wide audience. Hats a false sense of calm, another group vocal brings off to each member, who have managed to meld the noise like a smack in the face. While this pro- their varying influences into a well defined, coheduction technique can easily be overused and pre- sive unit. dictable, these guys pick their spots well, keeping it
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mar/apr 2014 • Sound, Phrase, & Fury 27