Of Fortune & Fame is a band put together in the aftermath of groups like The Wonder Years and The Story So Far taking the Pop Punk world by storm. Unfortunately, then, because of their timing as a band releasing music in a genre that is quickly becoming overpopulated by groups that sound a little too similar and are becoming a dime a dozen, Of Fortune & Fame show they have the chops but not (yet) enough gusto to put miles between themselves and their peers.
Having formed in 2010, Of Fortune & Fame has gone through so many lineup changes that a comparison of Perspective (2012) to their debut EP, Earn It (2011), would not be helpful. Perspective, though, sounds exactly like what one would hear after saying the words Pop Punk: it’s an EP of an introduction and five songs with themes running the gamut from girls to growing up to leaving one’s complacency. Sadly, it’s a been there, heard that situation. There are gang vocals, angsty anthems, relatable lyrics, distorted guitars, and one-liners that attempt to rival “I’m not sad anymore” as a catchphrase for a generation (“I carved my name in stone on the foundation of this place” from Wembridge Drive); the key-phrase there, however, is attempt. The lyrics aren’t too memorable because of the tried and true themes, yet they get the job done for what they are.
What Of Fortune & Fame lacks in gumption with their creativity, they make up for with musicianship and production. The EP sounds great with the wall of drums and guitars that would easily blow out the PA at a house show. The songs are layered with plenty of riffs and guitar lines that help the 16 minutes of the EP pass by interestingly enough, but no song truly stands off the release as a You’re Not Salinger, Get Over It or 680 South from early Wonder Years and Story So Far EPs, respectively. Even though Perspective doesn’t have that one killer jam that will line up Of Fortune & Fame to be the next bearer of the Pop Punk torch, the band definitely has the potential to make a song (and record, for that matter) worth listening to and throwing oneself into; they just first need to find the courage to step out of the comfort zone of their genre.
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Written by Joe Wasserman
