Album Review: Broadway Calls - Toxic Kids EP

Broadway Calls' first, self-titled, album was a fine piece of midwestern punk rock with its catchy hooks and Alkaline Trio-esque backbone, while 'Good Views, Bad News' kept its influences alive but alight with a true sense of freshness and youthful urgency. As we wait for album number three, the band have a released the six-track 'Toxic Kids EP' that should fill the gap nicely as the Oregon bunch are hard at work.

'I'm So Read To Be Done With My 20's' is a two-and-a-half minute long mid-tempo punk rock session as catchy as you would expect from the band. Along with their usual midwest vibe, the vocals are tinted with a touch of Ramones, certainly enough to keep the track interesting. On the other hand, 'I Never Made The Team's mid-tempo turns against it as the track never manages to pull out of comfortable territory and doesn't quite have enough originality to keep it relevant. Similarly, 'Denver' brings very little to the table and quickly fades from memory.

The title-track serves as a redeemer with a fierce punch of a punk rock track based around a solid sing-along structure and complimented by sweet harmonies and a handful of good ideas. It's a great track and by far the stand-out on this EP. Yet 'Horizons and Histories' is an instant reminder of some of the more throw-away tracks and while it isn't quite as lacking as some of the previous tracks, it certainly doesn't push the bar much higher. Closing track 'Stealing Sailboats' proves a healthy dose of variation as Ty Vaughn's vocals come off surprisingly well over the acoustic guitar. It's hardly sweet but the song does conceal a solid emotional spine.

All in all, 'Toxic Kids' is exactly what one would expect from a in-between-releases EP: a mixed bag. Half of the tracks are highly dispensable, yet the rest still consist of enough to satisfy the palet until the next full-length. It is clear that the loss of Matt Koenig has affected the song-writing, but what quality might ensue is still a hazy notion.

3/5

'Toxic Kids' EP is out now.

James Berclaz-Lewis