Neck Deep
Neck Deep
There is a lot to be said for a band remembering what it does well. Neck Deep's self-titled album gets straight back to fast drums, bright guitars and choruses that do most of the talking. The Welsh band's fifth record is not an ambitious reinvention. It is a very convincing reminder of why anyone cared in the first place.
"Dumbstruck Dumbfuck" wastes little time making that clear. Its pace and the push in Ben Barlow's voice give the opening a welcome sense of purpose. "Sort Yourself Out" keeps the pressure on, with a chorus that feels ready to escape the speakers. These songs sound simple because the band has made the important decisions: where to speed up, where to leave a gap, and when to let a melody take over.
The lyrics are less consistent. Barlow can turn everyday frustration into something immediate, but some of the relationship complaints follow familiar pop-punk routes. "Heartbreak of the Century" is catchy enough to get away with that. It still has more character in its performance than in the situation it describes. The album is strongest when the subject gives those hooks a little extra weight.
"They May Not Mean To (But They Do)" looks at the habits and damage passed from parents to their children. There is more going on there than another argument with an ex. "We Need More Bricks" moves that frustration outside the home, turning political anger into a song with a clear sense of movement. Neither becomes a lecture. The guitars keep everything moving too quickly for that.
Then there is "Take Me With You", which would rather ask aliens for a lift than stick around for the mess. It is a silly premise, and an effective one. This band is better company when it leaves room for that kind of humour.
At 33 minutes, Neck Deep finishes before the energy wears thin. The reassurance in "It Won't Be Like This Forever" and "Moody Weirdo" also gives the closing stretch some warmth. There are few surprises, but the songs have enough lift and good judgement to make familiarity a pleasure.
