Every week we get a whole range of albums dropping through the letterbox at Punktastic towers. There are very few times when you can actually guarantee the quality of any of them. However, in my experience, you can always rely on certain labels. Of all the UK labels at the moment, the most consistent has to be In At The Deep End Records. It seems that whatever the style, this label always manages to pick up great artists. This is their latest release, ‘Special Moments To Detonate Themselves’ by The Once Over Twice.
The Once Over Twice hail from Plymouth and, although going through name and line up changes, have existed in some form since 1997. The band have a wide spectrum of influences and play their passionate and honest music within a broad post-hardcore framework.
When album opener ‘Adenoidal’ flies past your eardrums in around a minute, you know this is going to be a special album. That one track contains more freshness and intensity than 99% of other bands attempting this style of music. The trend continues with the likes of ‘The Adult Crash’ and ‘No Point Of Entry’. This is a band wrapping up power, passion, melody and energy into a great package. With powerful, snarling vocals, driving bass lines and big choruses, The Once Over Twice had me hooked from start to finish. To be honest you can throw all the superlatives you like at this album, but at the end of the day, the simple fact is that it is full of great, well-written songs. I doubt very much you’ll find songs of the quality of ‘A Clandestine Quest For The Perfect Action Figure’ and ‘The Arranged Marriage’ bettered by many other bands this year. If I personally hear anything stronger than the superb ‘Victory Lap‘ I’d be very surprised.
So, In At The Deep End have done it again. ‘Special Moments To Detonate Themselves’ is a great album, which is quite simply full of great songs. I’ll admit to have not having heard much by The Once Over Twice before this, but I’ll be keeping close tabs on them in the future. So, too, should you, as this is one of the best UK releases so far this year.
www.theonceovertwice.com
www.inatthedeependrecords.co.uk
Mark