Preceding the debut full-length Top Button, Bottom Shelf, New Jersey's Banquets has released a split with New York's Mayflower. Released in early July 2011, the short run was put out by Black Numbers in a tape format, and within two weeks all 150 copies were spoken for.

With only six tracks in total, it's a great example of how incredibly relevant both of these bands are. Both bands cover all the bases for what a great punk band with pop tendencies should have, complete with gang vocals, catchy and fast guitars, and vocals that are sung and not yelled.

There has been some talk and comparisons about Banquets and the Gaslight Anthem, and whereas I don't think that it's 100% off-base, I wouldn't say it's spot-on either. This might be just me, and I'm certainly not complaining, but Banquets' track "Unforgiven V" is a little reminiscent of New Found Glory's "2's and 3's" (at least in the first 10-20 seconds of each song).

Mayflower is a little faster and a little more straight-up punk. Like Banquets, they display great musicianship and versatility. A fun treat is the cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Travelin' Band".

Honestly, one of the best things I think about this release is that it sounds like they're both having fun. With choruses about sexy ghosts and covers of CCR–how could you not? You may have not been lucky enough to score a tape (or like me, not even have anything to play a tape on), and with currently no formal plans to release in another format, just sit tight until August 23 for Top Button, Bottom Shelf; should be a lot of fun.