Keyboards rarely find themselves on pop-punk albums, at least not in the same way as they do during their regular appearance on ‘Songs for Sirens’. Then again, it would not necessarily be appropriate to describe the six track EP as pop-punk. Although EVERYTHING ON RED take a number of key sounds from the genre, this is as much pop as it is punk particularly due to the odd choice of instruments.
By relying on melody over punchy instrumentation EVERYTHING ON RED provide an at least palatable record, if not an extremely catchy record. The band at their most alternative (see ‘Welcome to the Sundown’ or ‘Wishful Thinking’) maintain the use of keyboards and melodic hooks, combining it with the irregular punk vocal for some depth. At their most pop, EVERYTHING ON RED move into full-on-cheese territory, such as on the tuneful ‘Tribute to Tragedy’. The result is somewhat hit and miss; final track ‘All The Best Adventures’ moves dangerously close to faux-pop-punk territory for some listeners liking, but manages to hold back with some unexpected screams which strangely complement the track.
‘Songs for Sirens’ is barely the pop-punk record it would have you believe. Filled with more cheese than a fondue, only a few moments stop this from record from completely immersing itself in preschool keyboard led fluff. Luckily there are just enough guitars, screams and gang vocals to support the underlying melody, brining EVERYTHING ON RED back into the black.
BEN TIPPLE