Banquets - This Is Our Concern, Dude
Record Label: Black Numbers
Release Date: June 1, 2010
Who?
By all sensible units of measure, Banquets should be Absolutepunk.net’s next wide-eyed obsession. The Jersey City quartet has the headstrong punk sound of Sink or Swim-era The Gaslight Anthem, the vivacity of The Bouncing Souls, and the vocals of what must be a tattooed and crusty Stephen Christian (Anberlin). All this makes for one big fat cozy pop-punk-punk-rock-orgcore-sing-along Chipotle. Mmm, Chipotle.
How is it?
This Is Our Concern, Dude is four for four in terms of genuine, first-class music. “Lyndon B. Magic Johnson” is an unrestrained rock’n’roll jab, informing its intended recipient, “I hope you burn your hands picking up the coals” while saving room for some introspection: “I should have more bitter within me, I just need some hurt to heal.” You know, the kind of stuff punk is about these days. “Eleanor, I Need a Garden” targets “catchy” by turning up the bouncy pop-punk and hits a bulls-eye, and “What A Bunch of Aaron Burrs” was written for everyone who ever wished The Gaslight Anthem was more edgy. But “I Wish I Was a Little More Lou Diamond Phillips” goes as far as to pull vibes from ’59 Sound; self-deprecation never sounded so pleasant as when you hear the mournful singer whimper his mouthful: “I was a son of a bitch… Cut me call me break me, I’m done” amidst rootsy riffs. So no guffaws when you see the scene spotlights fall on Banquets – any future glory they nab will be well-deserved. For now, though, you have the chance to give them their due praise before anyone else does. Watcha waitin’ for?
Am I the only one who doesn't hear Anberlin at all in them? Even if it is just the vocals. Shrug. Anyway...Great band, and great EP. Really can't wait for more from them. Good review too. Funny thing is, I came here to write up a review for this and notice it's already reviewed at the top of the page haha.
Am I the only one who doesn't hear Anberlin at all in them? Even if it is just the vocals. Shrug. Anyway...Great band, and great EP. Really can't wait for more from them. Good review too. Funny thing is, I came here to write up a review for this and notice it's already reviewed at the top of the page haha.
Try listening to Anberlin and Banquets back to back. The first Banquets song I heard, I heard right after I finished listening to Anberlin and the comparison in the vocals were uncanny.
Am I the only one who doesn't hear Anberlin at all in them? Even if it is just the vocals. Shrug. Anyway...Great band, and great EP. Really can't wait for more from them. Good review too. Funny thing is, I came here to write up a review for this and notice it's already reviewed at the top of the page haha.
i don't get the anberlin comparison at all either. haha.
And for those of you from europe we also got the 12" (containing 2 bonus tracks) for sale here: http://www.coffeebreathandheartache.com/products-page/
These are some awesome dudes, support them by actually buying their shirts/records, they really really deserve it!
Browse Reviews
Write a Review
Alphabetized Listing
Popular Reviews
Best New Music
View Artist Profile
View News Articles
Stream the Music
Buy the Album or MP3s
View Profile Picture
View Blog
View Signature
Posts: 11,726
Follow This Review
More Reviews By This Author