I’ll always have a soft spot for pop-punk. Ever since I first heard Enema of the State, I’ve been drawn to the fast-paced—at times whiny, I’ll admit—sounds of that particular style. So, for me, Shambles‘ latest release, Shambles EP, is a great record. It holds true to the standards of pop-punk with airtight guitar work and catchy—and at times emotional—lyrics.
I thought the band handled the vocals well throughout this record. The band utilizes gang vocals more often than they use a solo vocalist, which I thought really added depth to the songs. The end of the fourth track, “ATL…DTF?,” is a perfect example of the group vocals. The band uses several different harmonies during the last two times through the chorus, which I thought was quite impressive.
Shambles will be playing a gig at Great Scott in Allston on Wednesday, April 25, so if you’re in the area be sure to head on over and check them out. You can also check their bandcamp site for a free download of the Shambles EP and information on how to get free merch, swag, or whatever you prefer to call it.–Daniel McMahon