Again, here’s another band that has called it quits right as I was getting into ‘em. That’s just my luck though. Anyhow, what we are left with here is the self-titled swan song from Boston’s Lock And Key and it kinda sounds how I think the recent Bridge & Tunnel album might have sounded if it wasn’t so doggone dense. It is a heavy dose of the post-whatever that mixes the influences of heavy anthemic emo-punk (like Hot Water Music and the Get Up Kids) with the rough pop-punk edge of groups like Latterman (who I seem to be comparing almost everything to these days). While this album is far from perfect, that’s part of what makes it so awesome. The little stumbles and falls here and there throughout Lock And Key make it a real, truthful, and genuine documentation of what sounds like just a band in a room pouring their hearts out. There is tension and release in these songs and atmospheric guitar textures that bring to mind the Texas Is The Reason EP. There are melodies galore as well and gruff vocals that sorta recall early Jawbreaker. Yeah, I’ve made a lot of comparisons, but it is easily apparent that these kids have done their homework but have also moved beyond just being the sum of their influences. This is a sleeper favorite of mine for 2008 that (for me at least) really came out of nowhere and is a record that I haven’t really heard mentioned much. They also totally rip off a Jimmy Eat World melody on the “Last Song” and I love it. Reminds me a little of that whole Coldplay vs. Satriani thing. Word.
MP3 | Lock and Key – They’re Not Listening Lock and Key
MP3 | Lock And Key – Giving Up Or Giving In Lock and Key
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