Bandname

Flippant is a word that popped up on the of Bandname's press sheet. Take their moniker into account and add the heavy slackerism that permeates everything they touch on their debut full-length, Breakfast, and that seems an appropriate description. The Philadelphia three-piece play pop punk that's run through an organ grinder with 90s alternarock, distortion-heavy garage and, more or less, the entire Plan-It-X catalog.

The twelve songs here clock in under half an hour, with a steady upbeat pace that varies between songs, creating distinct separation yet driving home the idea that a song only needs 90 to 180 seconds to get its point across. The songs get to the point in a hurry in a garage rock style, but the delivery is more Pavement than power chords, with lazy vocals from all three members and plodding basswork that distracts from the energetic guitar and drums. It's a curious blend that gives a lo-fi feeling to songs that undoubtedly rock when played live. The vocals, shared amongst the three members, are at the front of the mix and their half-assed approach doesn't always give a good impression. The opening lines on the record turned me off almost immediately on first impression. As the record progressed, the listener gets used to the style, though it's still a breath of fresh air when Cat Park takes over, with a more enthusiastic punk style instead of the Malkmus-inspired lines Greg Labold and Jeremy Jams deliver. With three singers and twelve songs, there's enough variety that no one voice gets old, though I definitely have my favorite among the three.

The band mixes up styles frequently, with high energy songs from Park '90s drenched tracks like "Flathead" and "Another Life." The unifying lifeblood that courses throughout comes from the lo-fi tone and the noisy guitars that dominate, guiding the intentionally lazy style in a driving rock fashion that separates Bandname from their influences. In many ways it sounds like Pavement-schooled rock, but the brevity and directness are pure punk rock. As bizarre as it may sound, Bandname has found a way to bring the Pixies and Pavement into punk rock.

6.6 / 10 — Loren