Album Review: Such Gold - Pedestals

It can be denied that 2010 has been a very good year for pop-punk; with solid releases from the likes of Man Overboard, Transit, Basement and The Wonder Years. You can now add New York's Such Gold to that list as their latest EP, 'Pedestals' tops off a superb year for the genre and brings plenty of potential for the months ahead.

With plenty of urgency and perfectly mixing hardcore with pop-punk, tracks like 'Cut Rides' and 'Sycamore' are instantly favourable with plenty of hooks that are balanced with a decent amount of aggression, especially on the latter. They quickly establish a raw, DIY sound that quickly wins you over and grabs your attention. Another point to make is that despite, the speedy hardcore style, the band thankfully entering breakdown territory.

Whilst the intricate guitar lines stand out on 'The Brass Tax', but at the same time keep up the bands fast momentum. Although the standard gang vocals slip in, but does not spoil the track. 'So Close' sees Kenneth Vasoli (of Person L and The Starting Line) make a guest appearance, which is quite apparent on first listen. However he helps define the tracks more pop-punk vocal parts. Whilst pounding drums and scratchy guitars compliment the aching vocal delivery.

'Gutrot' could be considered as a mix of Four Year Strong with a hint of Hot Water Music, although Such Gold manage to bring about a sense of originality, with a steady swaying tempo but equally keep their fiery harder side. Nevertheless 'Pedestals' closes the EP at a blistering pace; although a slight breakdown is used but the band pull it off well. The track as a whole rolls all that is good with Such Gold into one; fast, catchy, gang vocals and overall fun.

Admittedly Such Gold aren't reinventing the hardcore pop-punk wheel, but fans of the genre should (and probably will) eat this up, as it takes all what is good with the genre and trims it down, as 'Pedestals' delivers the right mix of both hardcore and pop-punk by not swaying heavily one way or another.

Overall Such Gold are a band to be excited about, as they've perfected their style down to a tee and with such a solid collection of songs as 'Pedestals', they have the ability and confidence to make their mark in a scene which is quickly being filled my repetitiveness.

4.5/5

'Pedestals' by Such Gold is available now on 6131 Records.

Such Gold on Twitter and MySpace.



Sean Reid