Album Review: Newamerica - Newamerica EP

The powerpop is a dying scene that combines easy hooks and basic verses to make an overly simplistic listening experience. It’s a mindless genre that encapsulates what irks everyone about pop-punk, splashed with teeny bopper appeal. Newamerica’s self-titled EP is no exception, but it has an enjoyable mindlessness making it perfect for background music.

It’s hard to really classify this album as “good” or “bad”. It is well written, and enjoyable to listen to. It has all the parts a solid album should have, but it just isn’t exciting. 'You’re No Good To Us Dead' and 'Whispers' are both tracks that could be mistaken for any other powerpop song, and while they aren’t “dull,” they lack originality and heart. They feel as though they’ve been mathematically spliced together, and the equation equaled polished pop. They’re fun songs, and in no way should be put down, but they’re a shoulder shrugging example of an over saturated scene.

'Verona', the EP’s opening track see’s a bit more individuality. More intricate rhythms and doubled up vocals set the track up for standing out, but it falls short of greatness come the chorus, when things rely on the overused chorus; where tension comes in and out. On the other hand, 'New Direction' opens up with delayed guitars and atmospheric woah’s, creating a warm and flowy feel to the song. A more emotional track, 'New Direction' is a good example of why these power pop bands got popular in the first place. They’ve got heart; they write pretty songs that make a listener relate and feel good. While I’d like to hear more like this, it is just an EP, and I’m stuck with finishing it off with a cover of Dixie Chicks Landslide.

'Landslide', a well-written ballad, deserves a lot more than people give it. Newamerica takes the opportunity to cover it, and destroy it. They’ve picked up the pace a tad bit, making it feel choppy and rushed. The nasally vocals and repetitive acoustic guitars re-instate my whole point, power pop, while enjoyable and easy, lacks intelligence and musical prowess. It’s all verse-chrous-verse- bridge-chorus, and if you want to take it one step further, its all palm mute-open power chord-palm mute-guitar riff. Make interesting music Newamerica, you proved you can with 'New Direction'.

2.5/5

'Newamerica EP' by Newamerica is available now on Anchor Eighty Four Records and can be purchased here.

Newamerica on MySpace and Facebook.

Xan Mandell