A split between a Canadian and a UK band might sound like an odd combo at first but these two bands fit together rather well. Windsor, Ontario’s Orphan Choir start things off on Side A with two songs. “Groundbreaking Ceremony” is a fast paced track with vocals that instantly bring to mind Tom Gabel of Against Me. The song is more varied than your normal Against Me! track, most notably with a heavier guitar sound. It is a great track that starts this 7″ off on a definite high note. The band follows that up with a nicely done acoustic number called “Cross Your Fingers” which thankfully never crosses over into the redundant folk/punk territory.
Now we move over to Side B where UK’s The Amistad clock in. The band makes it clear rather quickly who the winner of this split will be. This is some great rip-roaring, dual-vocals pop/punk rock! The band reminds me of Dillinger Four but they are a little more straight forward in their approach. “The Only Living Boy In Banner Cross” has the lyric, And the last time I felt fully human, there was an old Broadways song on my walkman, and I’m done. The band has already won me over with that. Lyrically, The Amistad are wordy but in an awesome way much like the aforementioned Dillinger Four. The second track, “So This Is Where The Fun Times End And The Male Pattern Baldness Sets In” has a great Latterman feel to it with it’s unbridled youthful energy. If these two songs are any indication whatsoever, The Amistad are a band to watch very closely. Definitely recommended!
Genre: Punk/Rock
RIYL: Latterman, The Broadways, Dillinger Four
Thanks for the review.
If anyone wants one from the UK, they can paypal £3.60 to andy@roidh.co.uk Overseas people drop me an email.
Andy
Good stuff thanks for the review.
[...] The Amistad take on Side A and the band play that gruff brand of pop/punk. I covered the band last year and not much has changed. But that’s a good thing. Granted this style has been done to death [...]