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The Flatliners

Cynics [7 inch] (2009)
Fat Wreck Chords

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Contributed by: DarthNader
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Published on November 24th 2009

After making a slight sonic transition between their 2005 and 2007 full-lengths (Destroy to Create and The Great Awake), the Flatliners are back with the stopgap Cynics 7" before their next full-length in 2010. With this release you had better believe that they aren't fixing what isn't broke. The Great Awake honed their sound into slick punk blasts with strong ska undertones and Cynics picks up right where that album left off.

The A side blasts off with "Filthy Habits," which is the standout of the three songs. While it wouldn't have sounded out of place on The Great Awake, it doesn't feel like the band are stagnating. In fact, with tight drumming, rollicking guitars and lyrics like "I can't listen to sad songs anymore, I get fucking bored," "Filthy Habits" seems to say that the Flatliners are stronger than ever. "This Song Is Like Thunder and Lightening in a Wide Open Field" follows and is also quite enjoyable. In a similar vein to "Filthy Habits," it speeds along with almost snarled lyrics. The final track, "407" is a bit of a more diverse affair, starting with a slower tempo toned-down verse and then building into a heavier chorus. It is the weakest of the tracks but is by no means a throwaway.

While the Flatliners may only bring a few new ideas to the table with Cynics it is not to be ignored. The band is at the point where each song they write is worthy of repeated spins and they are gaining momentum. Granted, if their past albums weren't your cup of tea, Cynics won't change your mind, but for those who are listening, it's a nice little ear snack. With the Lawrence Arms, A Wilhelm Scream and Small Brown Bike all putting out 7"s/EPs this fall, Cynics may get less attention, but it's safe to say that it deserves a listen just as much as anything else that has come out recently.

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strikeeverywhere666 (June 26, 2010)

Great band.Great Record.Great all around

mikeladwig (March 10, 2010)

this band has never done anything new, but what they do they're pretty close to the best at

smithy (December 14, 2009)

Review pretty much nailed it; far from ground-breaking, but highly enjoyable nonetheless.

Jookl (November 30, 2009)

Great E.P even if I still wish they were making some fast ska like they were doing on first record :P

macbethmystery (November 29, 2009)

This EP is superb and as good as Run Like Hell. Since The Great Awake these guys have been making really fantastic music. No wonder AWS listed them as the band they currently enjoy the most. Actually, despite AWS being my favourite band together with Prop I gotta admit that their new EP does not reach the quality of Cynics, which might be the best EP this year. I also agree with the dude urging Wilhelm to go back to the Blasting Room unless they wanna be beaten by Flatliners in 2010's album of the year lists. I suppose Flatliners will take a great leap forward once again with their new full-length.

woodprop (November 25, 2009)

It's decent ... I like Run Like Hell better than the three songs on this EP though.

trevor905 (November 25, 2009)

Honestly terrible review and 407 is probably the best track.

half_head (November 25, 2009)

pretty weak review. the 7" is really awesome and the split they did earlier this year was also great. i'm going to predict that they drop the best record of 2010.

xkenneyx (November 25, 2009)

I dig this, just kinda' a cocktease until 2010. Cheers.

ak3punk (November 25, 2009)

Fucking awesome. Better than the new Wilhelm Scream Ep. Didn't see that one coming.

Also lets face it, if the new AWS isn' recorded @ The Blasting Room, its going to blow. The new EP is proof.

LooseKanonYankee (November 25, 2009)

great stuff, Im getting more and more into these guys

telegraphrocks (November 25, 2009)

Good. Not great.

kelly_d (November 25, 2009)

407 is easily the best song on the new 7

raveneffect (November 24, 2009)

Great 7 inch,worth every penny. I concur with this band still not getting enough attention as it should. All their releases thus far have been very solid.

Blackjaw_ (November 24, 2009)

Not as good as that Run Like Hell song or most of The Great Awake, but I still love it.

dlangl4 (November 24, 2009)

Flatliners put on the second best set I saw at the Fest. This is probably awesome. Score is for their fest show.

Alien (November 24, 2009)

407 is my favorite as well.
I really like great awake, and this. I wasn't a fan of destroy though

mike_b (November 24, 2009)

Funny. 407 is my favourite.

This band still doesn't get enough attention. Fucking brilliant.