Front to back, start to finish, this is pop-punk for those who have lived, loved and lost and aren’t afraid to contemplate the fact that maybe, just maybe, it isn’t going to be their weekend or their year.
The sophomore record sounds like a concept album about change: changing relationships, changing surroundings, changing perspectives and changing within oneself, often without even realizing it.
If you’re one of those people who is sitting there thinking “how is Pop Punk not dead yet?” then you’ve not bothered to dig for slight pivotsIf you’re one of those people who is sitting there thinking “how is Pop Punk not dead yet?” then you’ve not bothered to dig for slight pivots in the sound that keeps the good bands ahead of the curve. Sure, there’s a few bands that could probably stop making records now (*cough* New Found Glory *cough*) and there are always going to be those ones that keep spewing out a similar whiny early 00′s sound, but every now and then a band who’s on the fringe punches through the brick wall with a gold nugget. Shapeshifter by Knuckle Puck is the pop-punk golden nugget of 2017.
Here’s the mind blowing thing about it: every single track is so brilliantly written that they’re un-skippable and it was automatically/unquestionably my #1 album for the year. I knew it belonged there. Period. The lyrical content is emotional, maturing and deeply reflective of their struggles of losing our identities in the craziness of 2017. Tracks like Gone and Double Helix show just how far along this band has come in this regard and it extends right into their musical ability as well. Gritty guitars, spirited drums, poignant backing vocals. It’s all there.
My absolute favorite aspect of this record is the 3 closing tracks. It’s like they grabbed Closure off Under Soil & Dirt, elongated it out to 3 tracks and improved it by 1000%. Big statement, as Closure is a **** outrageously good song. It begins with with Conduit exploring “if all we are is under the surface”, transitioning neatly into Wait that builds to an outpouring of “you always did feel just like home but you were always so unreachable” and closing the deal with Plastic Brains: an evocative rendition that is akin to the brain’s ability to change at whatever age. The music itself loops us right back into a similar style to the opening track Nervous Passenger, and it leaves us with the question: “is there any trace left of me at all?”
This album proves that Knuckle Puck is one of the most talented and forward thinking Pop Punk bands currently making music. They takeThis album proves that Knuckle Puck is one of the most talented and forward thinking Pop Punk bands currently making music. They take everything further than any other band within their genre. This is a band to keep an eye on.…Expand
The Pop-Punk/Emo revival is real and Knuckle Puck is leading the charge. One of the most thoughtful and intelligent additions to this genre isThe Pop-Punk/Emo revival is real and Knuckle Puck is leading the charge. One of the most thoughtful and intelligent additions to this genre is Shapeshifter. The album acts as an in-depth look at change, heartbreak, mental health, and anxiety, while soundtracking these lyrics with strong musicianship and grit. This album is a triumph. Tracks that stand out are “Gone”, “Everyone Lies To Me”, and “Conduit”.…Expand
I put this band under a "your mileage may vary" pop punk band. Namely that there isn't really much knew that Knuckle Puck delivers, at leastI put this band under a "your mileage may vary" pop punk band. Namely that there isn't really much knew that Knuckle Puck delivers, at least if you aren't familiar with the new wave of emo-tinged pop punk bands that are popping up in independent labels like Moose Blood, Neck Deep, the Wonder Years, Modern Baseball, Joyce Manor, etc. Me personally, I do find myself enjoying this album. Knuckle Puck has both energy and fiery passion on this album, from the energetic drumming of John Siorek, fiery guitars of Kevin Maida and Nick Casasanto, and Joe Taylor's passionate singing. Plus I do enjoy my pop punk to have more bite and grit and indie rock influence in their sound then the more polished and slick pop punk that plagued the late 90s and early 2000s (I'm looking at you Good Charlotte and Simple Plan!), even with the clear influence of blink-182 in their sound. Overall, nothing too groundbreaking unless you are a die-hard that post about this band on Tumblr, but still enjoyable regardless.…Expand
