As the music industry and summer rock festivals are flooded with talent from bands that all seemingly sound the same, it is comforting to find artists that maintain an original sound that can also fit in with a certain subgenre. In Disaster March’s Dire Days EP, the unification of punk, pop, and alternative rock fit cohesively among the 6-track package.
In the album’s title track, “It’s What You Meant To Say,” sounds similar to Alkaline Trio, Brand New, and Rise Against come to mind, as the power chords and edgy vocals shape the quality of the song. With an insertion of gang vocals, along with a catchy hook to reel in the listener, it is evident that the band knows how to both write a pop song, as well as keep their sound constant throughout the length of the track. In the following tracks, “Save Me Jamie” and “These Blue Eyes,” the voices of Matt Skiba come to mind again, and a display of romance lends a hand into both songs. With pop-style choruses and the palm muting of guitars throughout the verses, the band creates a thorough pop-punk style, along with lyrics that relate almost perfectly with the titles at hand (a style that not all bands in similar genres consider). Lastly, the ending tracks “Slow Motion” and “So Say We All,” lend a softer vibe to the album, but still maintain the edge that encompasses the style of Disaster March. Rather than write a sappy love song, the band utilizes different tempos and techniques with pianos, synthesizers, and melodies that sustain the rock-style, yet keep a diverse, softer sound.
The EP brings the audience back to the days when punk rock and pop punk were at its peak, and brings a style that is not too poppy, nor too diverse for the ears of the listener. Another great quality about the album, as well as the band’s sound, is that it fits in a couple different music genres. Fans that enjoy pop, punk, and even alternative rock can enjoy all of the tracks off of the EP. In a world where alternative music constantly changes to fit the styles of modern sound, Disaster March maintains a style that can not only flow with the changes in the industry, but stay true to the edginess that defines pop-rock.
Key Tracks: It’s What You Meant to Say, Save Me Jamie, So Say We All
Erin Albertson – MuzikReviews.com Contributor
May 20, 2010
