Dealbreaker popped onto my radar as part of a package tour with Pro Wrestling, who cold called me with a Penske File namedrop. This story is a bit of a Canadian roundabout, but their methodology worked: I listened to their music and dug it enough to review it. And I'm mentioning it because, at times, Dealbreaker reminds me of The Penske File.
That said, Dealbreaker is harder and a little more tried-and-true punk in style. You'll get some emo-tinged vibes on the brilliantly titled opener, "Good Heart Dumb Brain" or the closer "1-800", but I think "Brace Yourself," and "Weigh In" are the true standouts on New Sides. "Brace Yourself" delivers gruff vocals over a smooth melody with a few harmonies along the way. It's followed by more big hitters: "Can't Deny," which balances angry and sing-song vocals for a punchy tone that's still thoughtful, followed by "Weigh In." This is arguably the biggest track on the record, with some big build-up moments. Multiple vocalists share the mic throughout the record, often trading a line here and there. On this song, they utilize gang vocals to perfect effect. It's a technique that can be overused, but with just a few instances on the 10-song record, it gives this song an extra boost.
Dealbreaker also infuses some distinct bridges that delve outside of the typical punk cannon. "Natural Disaster" and "Annoy Me" are every bit as good as the songs I've talked about, even if I'm not breaking them down individually. I'm naming a lot of the heavier songs, but the band balances singalong punk with more motive stuff (akin to The Penske File) very well. It's a seamless balance where it's never jarring from one song to the next.
New Sides is very consistent over its 20-minute run. New (to me) bands often have a big single that lures me in but, once I'm in for the full-album adventure, they fizzle. Dealbreaker brings it all the way through the LP, even if the "Thank you for calling/ I hope you have a nice day" lyrics end the record on a bit of a cornball note.
