With every release we've seen so far, there is no doubt that 2013 has proven to become "the year of the split". What is so interesting about the different kind of collaborations that have been released within the last couple of months, is that you can definitely notice the complimenting dynamics that two separate bands bring to the table; providing listeners with the best of both worlds to fulfill their musical satisfactions. In the month of May, the Pennsylvania-based label Reveille Records introduces us with a split featuring one of their showcased acts Boxer, who team up with Eyes Wide.
For years Richmond, Virgina has always had a thriving and innovative music scene. With a variety of bands ranging from the punk and hardcore community like Bracewar, Fire & Ice, Government Warning and Strike Anywhere, keeping alive this diverse and legendary Virginia scene, Boxer is a band on the rise, bringing to the table an explosive melodic pop punk sound that adds a spice '90s emo influence to their style. This sound is almost as similar in comparison to their Virgina Beach contemporaries in Turnover. "Contempt" is the first track on Boxer's side of the split. Brace for impact because immediately after the first chords, the song goes off instantly with an explosive introduction, leading into their tempo change in the first verse. Musically and vocally, "Contempt" is a song that draws identical parallels from influences like Title Fight as well as Turnover. Moving along into the remaining tracks on Boxer's contribution to this split, songs like "Weight" and "Grow" emulate a distinct sound that draws in listeners with tedious melodic tones that compliment beautifully with explosive chords and heavy drumming; a formula of musicianship which reflects the occurring rise of pop punk acts that take extreme influence from their melodic hardcore precursors.
While Boxer brings a more furious and explosive sound to the table on the first half of the split, Eyes Wide transitions on the next half of this EP with a more tame, yet blissfully-crafted style; citing influence from iconic emo acts like Knapsack, Mineral and Small Brown Bike. With a prestigious list of bands like Title Fight, Daylight and Tigers Jaw, who have already well established themselves over time in Pennsylvania's hardcore and pop punk scene, Eyes Wide is an upcoming band that is ready to walk out of their shadows and follow in their footsteps to success. You can tell from the beginning, with songs like "Gem" and "Leaving Feels Right", that the grass still remains green in Pennsylvania. It's almost as if this Eyes Wide is a split image of Tigers Jaw and Daylight by incorporating a soothing and atmospheric melody to their style that compliments well into the transition of heavy hitting choruses.
In contrast, even though Eyes Wide and Boxer share similar qualities with complimenting influences, there is no doubt that these two contrast with an established sound of their own. There is something soothing and interesting about newer acts who are now starting to take extreme influence from '90s bands. This infatuation with recreating the past in some aspects by incorporating old-school emo and alternative rock influences into the dynamics of the pop punk genre is an occurring trend that reflects the maturity and progression of bands who are trying to establish themselves in the scene. With this influence, we have positively witnessed bands craft together honest and sincere music that comes from the heart; along with paying homage to the bands that have inspired them to play. Not only do we see this kind influence reflect from the distinct sounds of both Boxer and Eyes Wide, as a end result these two acts bring to the table a beautifully crafted split that holds true to their influences, along with signifying a progressive sound to call their own.
Tracklist:
Boxer
1. Contempt
2. Weight
3. Grow
Eyes Wide
4. Gem
5. Leaving Feels Right
6. Ordinary
RIYL: Floral Green by Title Fight, Magnolia by Turnover, Jar by Daylight, Tired Of Defending You by Souvenirs
Rating:
Written by Ryan McGrath
Boxer
Eyes Wide
