Best friends are the kind of people that you pick up the conversation right where you left off when you see each other for the first time in years -- that’s what Four Year Strong’s new EP, Go Down In History feels like. Every song is filled with the innate Four Year Strong tendencies that you made you fall in love with the band originally.
This EP sounds more like the logical progression from Enemy Of The World than In Some Way, Shape, Or Form. was. The songs contain that element of being larger than life and inflated purpose that was overwhelmingly present on Rise Or Die Trying and Enemy Of The World. Even the title of the EP itself relates more to the band’s early releases. The song titles are also perfect, from the pop culture references, to more meaningful, but equally awesome “Living Proof Of A Stubborn Youth”. I’m not saying Four Year Strong is back, because they never really went anywhere; they just sound more like the band fans expected after Enemy Of The World.
Lyrically, we’re hit with the fist-pumping one-liners such as “When push comes to shove, I’ll shove it down your throat” and “...holding my head under water to keep me from taking another breath; it’s a fight to the death". There’s no way crowds will be able to resist screaming the gang vocal sections, like “I will never apologize”, in “Tread Lightly”. The beginning of “Go Down In History” contains some “whoas” reminiscent of the intro to “Enemy Of The World". The chorus of this particular tune has also been stuck on repeat in my head since I first heard it, and I still am loving it.
Every Four Year Strong record contains stellar intricate and complicated instrumental sections featuring guitar riffs that make me wonder how it’s possible these gents can sing and play simultaneously with such ease. These songs contain no shortage of sections like these as every song contains some moment that is anticipated with every listen. These songs will be ones friends will show each other and say “Just wait until you hear the riff at 2:19". Instrumentally, these performances are perfect and exciting with every hit of the snare or chug of the guitar. Also, no need to fear, there are breakdowns and they will undoubtedly send pits into a frenzy.
The only thing I really wish more from is the very end of the title track, which expertly highlights the main guitar riff over some stellar drumming -- I just wish it was a bit longer so I could bask in the magical moment it creates, but too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. I’d take the masterpiece that is Four Year Strong’s Go Down In History over any less-than-perfect full-length any day. In my humble opinion, this is the best five-song release in the genre since With The Punches released It’s Not The End Of The World in 2011 and it may hold that spot for quite some time.
Tracklist:
1. What's In The Box
2. Living Proof Of A Stubborn Youth
3. Tread Lightly
4. Go Down In History
5. So You're Saying There's A Chance
RIYL: Four Year Strong...?
Rating:
More reviews by Josh Jurss
