Dowzer

So Much For Silver Linings (2017)

1v4n0

Originality is, to some, a

value in itself. I'm not one of them. While it is certainly

commendable to try to push the boundaries of specific styles, I think

playing it safe can be a good choice too. In fact I prefer, both in

music and in literature, a genuine homage to a well-established genre

to an annoying hodgepodge.

All this to say that yes,

Dowzer sound like countless other pop-punk bands, but, yes, they are

also very good at what they do. “So much for silver linings” is a

good melodycore album that reminds me of, among others, the softest

things No Use For A Name have done (think maybe “Keep them confused”). They don't quite reach the same level of songwriting and punch,

but they're not too far either, and the songs flow nicely, never

overstaying their welcome. They have three voices, two males and one

female, which surely helps make the whole thing more varied, and

are pretty good at creating vocal harmonies and at exchanging lead

roles.

The songs vary between

mid-tempo - “No one knows”, “Making waves” - and faster numbers - like the opening track “Scenes are for

sinners”. Among the former shines the very catchy “Hindsight bias

blues” (a good title I'd say, just like the album itself), but

there really isn't a single stinker.

There isn't either any

obvious gem either, which is the album's major shortcoming. A bit

more variety and, most of all, a bit more aggression would surely

have helped, as after a few listens this does tend to taste a bit too

sugary.

The lyrics focus mostly on

introspection and, despite being a bit shallow, manage to keep clear

of cliches and banalities.

All in all, while it

certainly isn't a masterpiece, “So much for silver linings” is a

record that deserves the attention of anyone who likes this kind of

music. I have listened to it a lot and don't plan on stopping

anytime soon.