Album Review: The Front Bottoms - The Front Bottoms

Changing the game for the better, The Front Bottoms are an unconventional folk-punk band comprising of two members, Brian Sella and Mathew Uychich, who play acoustic guitar and drums respectively. Despite there being only two members, their self-titled debut promises the same amount of adrenaline in their performance than a punk band would have.

Sella sings anthems of post-adolescence which may raise a few eyebrows but in turn paint a portrait of his reality. The first words of the album taken from thumping highlight, "Flashlight", being "Please fall asleep so I can take pictures of you and hang them in my room", showcase an awkward obsession with a girl. The Front Bottoms' lyrics may not be written for you or your perspective but they are extremely relatable. Who can't say they've ever had a moment similar to one that Sella describes in "Legit Tattoo Gun" where he sings "I'm pretty sure I am the only guy she's hooked up with tonight, probably. Probably not". Essentially Sella's lyrics comprise of uncustomary things you wouldn't tell people on a daily basis, chances are that they have probably crossed your mind though.

The instrumentation of the EP expands upon the band's unique lineup, the inclusion of raspy trumpets in the opening of "Father" provide a subtle change of tone which sets the song apart from the rest of the album. It's really Uychich's fast paced drumming alongside Sella's unorthodox acoustic power chords and string picking on "Maps" that set The Front Bottoms apart as a folk-punk band more than anything with Sella wearing his heart on his sleeve as he sings "One day you'll be washing yourself with hand soap in a public bathroom", detailing his turmoils with the life of being a musician. The album is overall consistent with no particularly weak tracks, each track being as quirky and relatable as the next. To quote Sum 41, this album is "All Killer No Filler".

5/5

George Gadd
'The Front Bottoms' is out September 6th through Bar/None Records.