Those Days Are Gone
Those Days Are Gone finds Free Throw turning unsettled feelings into energetic, melodic emo. Cory Castro's cleaner singing sits beside a much rougher delivery, while the guitars and drums often sound more upbeat than the words. That contrast gives the debut album its character. The music can be inviting and restless at once, with the band's energy carrying even its less distinctive moments.
Such Luck establishes the balance quickly. The full band give the song a bright, active beginning, but the vocal keeps the mood from becoming carefree. Two Beers In makes a more immediate impact, with a memorable guitar figure and a forceful delivery that give the song a clear identity within the set.
The drumming is another strength. Zach Hall's playing has enough presence to match the intensity of the singing, helping the songs move when the guitar ideas become less individual. The bass also supplies some catchy parts. Free Throw work best when those details support a melody rather than competing to become the centre of attention.
Pallet Town makes good use of a longer shape. It starts with energy, moves into a calmer stretch and then gathers force again. The changes allow the song to develop without losing its direct emotional appeal. That willingness to pull back makes the fuller passages more effective, showing that the band can do more than keep pushing at the same level.
There are rough edges. The harsher vocals can become tiring, and the production does not always give the biggest sections the fullness they need. Several songs also make less of an individual impression than the highlights. The album has a consistent mood, but that consistency occasionally makes its parts harder to separate.
The closing track gives the record a final chance to bring melody and raw feeling together, and its rising intensity makes for a satisfying finish. Those Days Are Gone is an engaging debut with familiar ingredients, held together by committed performances and a clear sense of emotional purpose. Its best moments make the uneven ones easier to accept.
