Blueprint 76

Back in February of 2002, Royce Nunley announced his departure from The Suicide Machines. Me being an incredibly huge fan of TSM for years, I was really upset, as Royce is one of the better bassist in the scene today. Not 3 months passed when I discovered he formed a new band called Blueprint 76, and already had an EP coming out entitled Into The Flames. I got my ass on I-55, and headed towards the Fireside Bowl to check them out, and pick up the release.

Track one: "Counting The Days"- very pop-a-rific catchy love song. Not too original, but good enough to have you singing along after a few listens.

Track two: "Chapters"- My personal favorite of the EP. A song about the end of a relationship, with the simple (again, catchy) line in the chorus: "Our chapter was only a page... we're living in the pages of yesterday".

Track three: "Into The Flames"- Seems to be a song about getting away from everything. Just like the first two tracks... catchy as hell.

Track four: "Broken Bones"- the heaviest song on the disc, yet my least favorite. Still... catchy (no surprise, huh?).

Track five: "Somehow Someway"- great song about abandonment, and feeling sorry for yourself... but in a good way, I guess.

Hidden track: "One Step Away"- another great poppy song about friendship. "I'm stranded again. I can't believe this mess we're in again. One step away, one step behind you all the way." And reminiscent of personal experiences "we've been through thick and we've been through thin... I hope we go through it all again."

Overall, it's a standard pop-punk release, that I'd most likely compare to the poppier songs of The Suicide Machines ("Permanent Holiday", "Scars", "Islands", etc.), and I'd recommend it very much.