Split releases are and have always served as a novelty idea to the contrast of a conventional release. There is nothing better than being prompted with two bands that hold onto the threads of a mutual intent to provide a contrast of refreshing music from their respective regions. Coming Clean and Thieves honour the split release ethos on their forthcoming split.
The split starts with New Jersey’s Coming Clean’s side. Opener, “Tower Bridge” is bridled with the nostalgia of the chunky ruckus charm of '90s pop punk such as No Use For A Name and a plethora of Fat Wreck bands of the era. Although the sound is refreshing the pitfalls of the song are rooted in its predictable song structure.
“When I Die, Stay Away From My Funeral” couldn’t be any more different from the aforementioned track, where Coming Clean unveil a darker counterpart to their sound. On this song the band employs various time signatures while twisting counter-melodies, which evoke an unsettling concoction of conviction and anger to the listeners. Here, is where Coming Clean show an ability to experiment in an innovative way to their sound, which marks them far from being a generic three-chord punk band.
The second side of the split features the contributions from Texas’ Thieves, who offer a contrast to Coming Clean’s '90s-esuqe pop punk with an eclectic sound rooted in melodic ambient and intricate rock with a punk edge. “Offline” is a classic, where the notion of apathy with the advancing technological world is presented as a desperate measure to rectify a relationship on the rocks. The chorus makes gains, claiming every square mile of the palette in your head as the words of vocalist/guitarist Billy Canino suggests “Nobody needs to know who we are when we are alone, turn off the phones tonight...” to you.
Closer, “Right Back At You” shows the band in a versatile light where the guitar work is incendiary and song-craftsmanship is majestic. Abrasive vocals are also evident on “Right Back At You”, complimenting the band's rougher punk element in their sound.
Although Thieves' contributions on the split appear to stand out more (due to its thoroughly engaging and refreshing sound), both Thieves and Coming Clean succeed in offering a differentiating sound while still retaining a core thread, which bridges both bands together for the listeners.
Tracklist:
Coming Clean
1. Tower Bridge
2. When I Die, Stay Away From My Funeral
Thieves
1. Offline
2. Right Back At You
RIYL: Lagwagon and a mixture of With The Punches and The Dangerous Summer (late)
Rating:
Written by Aaron Akeredolu
Coming Clean
Thieves
