Montroze – ‘If Only You Knew’ EP

Montroze – Midsomer Norton/Bath, United Kingdom.

Apparently we are quite fond of our Southwest Pop-Punk. Once again, its melody time.

Based in Midsomer Norton and Bath in England’s southwest, we have Montroze. Formed in 2012, the band have been busy playing and honing their craft for anyone that will listen.

‘…the first EP was about finding our feet and writing music that we enjoyed listening to ourselves as well as playing it. If you make music you don’t personally enjoy, what’s the point? We weren’t trying to do anything game changing or unheard of. Just honest music that helped us find our sound’ – Vocalist Jason Bishop on the debut EP, If You Only Knew.

We first heard of the band through our review of Bristol’s Tuskens, and later, Highlives. If you’re interested in the aforementioned bands then you can find our words on Tuskens – here, and Highlives – here. Bands sticking together to build a scene and supporting each other is important in any genre of music, especially the underground and alternative scenes. Support music scenes wherever you are!

The band’s sound is an interesting one in regard to where it sits on the Pop-Punk chart. Pop-Punk may be a broader part of the Punk spectrum but it is also broadened and diversified in its own way. Now, I must admit I am very fussy with the genre as it has changed a fair bit since began my long road into “ultimate-Punk-Rock-ear-destroying-time’ when I discovered the early waves of Pop Punk almost 10 years ago – ugh, I’m only 23, now I feel old – well done self.

I digress, the band’s sound sits somewhere between the newer, heavier sound, including breakdowns mixed in with gang shouts and the poppier vocals more common in the mid-to-late 2000’s, coupled with the faster, more ‘traditional’ sound of the second and third waves of the mid-to-late nineties.

Montroze cite their influences from some of today’s more well known bands such as: The Wonder Years, Basement, Citizen, Real Friends, The Story So Far, Transit, Title Fight. As any fan of the current wave of Pop-Punk will know, some – if not all of these bands – have trail blazed the way for this new wave which, to an extent, is returning to its roots.

I actually heard The Story So Far play in a club recently. I have to admit I enjoyed ‘Quicksand’. Plus, I love The Wonder Years.

Anyway, enough rant. Here’s our review of Montroze’s first effort:

1. Fire With Fire – A nice quiet intro before we are catapulted into just over a minute of fast, old school Pop-Punk. If you are a returning reader and you have read some of my electronic scribblings before, then you will recall I enjoy a fast opening track. Track one shows off the band’s tendency not to forget the genres roots and immediately grabs the attention of a passing listener, inciting him or her to sit down, relax and await the next four tracks… or jump around. Whatever works.

2. High Horse – A bit of a change up. The intro riff of track two come across as a combination of Four Year Strong, Yellowcard and New Found Glory; jagged and modern. Stylistically strong in the realm of the more breakdown and gang vocal-led Pop-Punk formulated in the mid-to-late 2000’s, track two demonstrates the other side to Montroze’s sound. In regard to the lyrical content, its one of my personal favourites. ‘Get off your high horse, what makes you better than me? It’s nothing but you’re mentality…’ – You get the idea. Egotism is a pain the Arse.

3. Saintly if You Say – ‘Saintly If You Say’ was the band’s choice for the single release with an accompanied video. Another heavier intro, led by a high-note lead guitar, before we are brought into the verses where a similar format plays us on. Driving-mid paced rhythms with the lead situated above the rest make this another track to incite movement from the crowd. ‘Stop trying to crucify me, make me feel guilty, while you walk around as if you are a saint’. 

And here is said video:

4. Yoda’s Cousin – I did smile when I saw the title to this song. The penultimate track begins with a soaring riff, typical of the genre, but welcome, before some classic chugging takes over. Another mid-paced number it is my no means banal. The low rumble of the bass and the chug on the guitars in the verses give a hint of the old school, whilst keeping the heaviness of some of the more recent bands. Track four is also an example of the band’s guitar work. It may inject a bit of a “rock-like” feel into their brand of Pop-Punk, but it works. Plus, it has by far the most ‘sing-a-long’ chorus in the EP.

5. Throne Alone – Slowing things down for the finale, ‘Throne Alone’. Being there in someone’s time of need is never easy and yet necessary as a friend. But, ‘when it comes down to it, who’s there for me? It feels like nobodyyy’. You get the idea, shit happens. People expend far more care then they receive. Musically, the song is melodic and again on the rockier side for the most part. The opening riff and general guitar work of the song are by far the better of the album. Said style of riff could easily match a song twice as fast as track five, but still feels at home on this last composition.

A solid debut release from Montroze. They have done as the aforementioned quote detailed, and produced an EP that doesn’t necessarily break new ground, yet doesn’t sound banal and boring. There’s nothing wrong with making music that feels right. 7.5/10.

A quick quote on Montroze’s future prospects:

‘We’ve nearly finished writing EP #2, which will hopefully be recorded by the end of this year and will show how out sound has evolved since the first EP’ – We look forward to it boys!

Find Montroze on Facebook, Twitter and download the FREEEEEEEEEE EP via their bandcamp. Hard copies are avaliable from both the bandcamp and bigcartel sites. Oh and gigs, those as well.

#StayFresh