Well this is Gameface's third full length album in nine years, and its taken this one four years to come out. Let me just say it was worth the wait. This time around these Orange County, CA rockers take the step up from small indie label, Dr. Strange, to "big time" indie label Revelation Records. I guess Gameface would generally be classified as a "pop punk" band, but on this release that label doesn't do them much justice. If you're looking for comparisons I guess you could say, Texas is the Reason, Farside, Shades Apart, and maybe Far, but Gameface is a band that really stands alone. On this release I hear a bit of post hardcore, power pop, and emo rock, all with a general "radio friendly" feel. But that is not to say Gameface has "sold-out", they haven't, they just have written some great songs with a classic pop feel. This time around frontman Jeff Caudill picks up a guitar, which helps to thicken up the sound overall. He still continues to write great lyrics that are catchy but not corny, and the band as a whole has seemed to mature as songwriters also. Highlights of the album include, "My Star" which is basically a pop-rock love song that is extremely catchy. It makes me wonder what's up with commercial radio stations, or at least stations on the east coast. This song blows away any of the guitar driven pop songs on the radio today. Other key tracks include the opening track "The Pirate Song", the closing ballad "Mercury Dimes", as well as the rockin tune "Sweet Wreck". Lately I have been really impressed with most of the stuff that Revelation Records has been putting out(Elliot, Farside, Kill Holiday). I guess all the hardcore kids have been kind of disappointed though, but oh well, they will get over it once they realize there is more to a great song than just screaming, insanely intense guitars, double bass drums, and an image.
B+
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis 1999Reviewed by ConradThese guys are a really good band but their melodies aren't that compelling. They rock and I respect their music, but I don't have any urge to go out and play their music over and over. A little tepid but still good B-Decapolis 1999Reviewed by dmkThese guys seem to rock and rock quite well. However, the music isn't very interesting. While I know these guys have a following, I just picture these guys as the band that plays at that club down the street every other week and, while good, are destined to just flirt with fame unless they give in and write a Goo Goo Dolls radio ballad or cover an obscure 60's song. Either way, it just leaves me…Similar sounding releases
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