Responsibility is something that creeps up on all of us. Most of us spend the first dozen or so years of our existence free of the sometimes crushing weight life can heap upon our shoulders. It’s only as we start approaching adulthood that the reality of the world and our place in it starts shifting into clear focus, and no matter our lot in life it’s a trying time to be alive. That youthful frustration birthed punk rock back in the 70’s, and it’s around this age that most of us start flirting with loud guitars for the first time. It’s also the conceptual inspiration behind Philadelphia indie-rock champions Beach Slang’s sophomore album, ‘A Loud Bash Of Teenage Feelings’.
“I’m not that young kid anymore, but I used to be”, says singer James Alex of the record’s core themes, “…As a 20-year-old, I thought, hey, let’s all have fun, we’re gonna live forever. You don’t really see the finish line. Now it’s more like, am I leaving behind work that’s going to matter?” That feeling of responsibility to his younger self, and to the legions of young punks across the world hanging on every lyric that escapes his mouth, colours every moment of ‘A Loud Bash…’. First track ‘Future Mixtape For The Art Kids’ sets the mood immediately with its stirring opening stanza, “Play it loud, play it fast / Play me something that will always last…”. This line alone cements the attitude with which Beach Slang have approached this album – creating art with permanence, not disposable radio fodder that will be forgotten the second the needle hits the run-out groove.
That’s not to say Beach Slang’s music wouldn’t sound out of place on the radio. Though Alex’s vocals are a little gruffer than many mainstream indie-punk bands, each and every song on this record is filled to the brim with melody and memorable hooks. The band’s mix of hard hitting power chords and anthemic choruses calls to mind what The Gaslight Anthem might have sounded like if they’d got over their Springsteen fixation and thrown a Rival Schools record on every now and again. It’s a refreshing concoction that doesn’t fall into any specific genre trappings, meaning that although Beach Slang aren’t necessarily an easy sell for someone who just wants the next ‘For Fans Of…’ album, it’s a record that any punk rocker with an open mind should have little trouble falling in love with.
One of the album’s greatest strengths is in how concise and perfectly formed each song is. Very rarely does any track exceed the 3 minute mark, the band – filled out by guitar player Ruben Gallego and bass player Ed McNulty – clearly having spent the last year honing their songcraft to a fine point whilst touring in support of last year’s debut full-length, ‘The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us’. From the choppy sing-a-long anthem and first single ‘Punks In A Disco Bar’ to the woozy romance of ‘Young Hearts’, not a second of the album’s playtime is wasted on unnecessary refrains or typical album ‘filler’ tracks. Each and every song here could be released as a single and stand up alongside the best of indie and punk’s leading names.
For the most part the album sounds wonderful too, with a clear but not overly glossy sound that allows each chord to ring through without the processed edge that taints too many modern pop-punk and indie records. There’s a lived-in, warm feeling to the production that matches the nostalgic tone established in the songs’ lyrics, and one that does a wonderful job of capturing the basic essence of Beach Slang’s energetic live show. The only possible niggle would be the effect that’s been applied to James Alex’s voice on many tracks on the album, which on a couple of occasions – most notably on the opening track – makes the singer sound like a Dalek. It’s a strange decision that seems unnecessary considering how unique Alex’s vocal style is already, and though it doesn’t ruin the record by any shot, can be a little distracting.
One odd production choice aside, this is a near-faultless album that delivers on all of its promises – the guitars are loud, the songs engaging and sincere. Beach Slang have stayed true to their intentions, and on ‘A Loud Bash Of Teenage Feelings’, they’ve created a vital punk rock record that has earned the right to live on beyond the band and be embraced by generations to come.
JAMES LEE