Quo Vadis

Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Arts and Entertainment

At present, long lived, long lasting bands are hard to come by in mainstream music. While the musical flavor of the week could've been considered an annoyance some time ago, it seems as if two or three hit wonders have all but overtaken the mainstream musical atmosphere. Contemporary, lasting groups are getting harder and harder to come by while hype-laden acts get more and more recognition (I don't think that "Soulja Boi" really has the staying power to keep up with Biggie). However, there are still a few better known bands that continue to please, as New Found Glory have proved with their latest album, "Not without a Fight."
"Not without a Fight" is a step backwards for the Floridian quartet, but that's not such a bad thing. In noticeable contrast to their last full length album, 2006's "Coming Home," which featured anthemic hooks and slower paced, classic rock inspired tracks, "Not Without A Fight," which was produced by Blink 182 bassist Mark Hoppus, sees the band returning to their hard and fast pop punk roots; reminiscent of their self-titled major label debut "Hit or Miss" (I'm admittedly a very big NFG fan). The album's first single, "Listen to Your Friends," is catchy and simple with minimal guitar riff-age and maximum yell-at-the-top-of-your-lungs-while-jumping-uncontollably-because-I'm-just-so-pumped-potential. Most all of the other tracks that fill the 36 minute album follow suit aside from "Reasons," the song that could be considered the disc's "ballad" although it still maintains a moderately jumpy pace.
However, what I will always like is New Found Glory's "Not without a Fight" suffers from the strange paradox that seems to tweak career pop-punk bands - they grow up. Don't get me wrong, it's a good album. However, after the excellent tonally shaped and (dare I say) mature "Coming Home," it just seems as if the New Found Glory guys just stopped trying too hard. This relapse to a former style, while still commendable, just seems dated and rehashed, especially for this band. It's not a major fault, but I can't say I wasn't a little unnerved upon first listen.
New Found Glory still knows how to drive crowds crazy. Which, I suppose, is the point anyway? Even if "Not without a Fight" isn't as deep as "Coming Home" or as hard-hitting as "Catalyst," it stills deserves a listen. Although it would be a stretch to deem it a must have.

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