Sometimes you find a spot that overlooks the city or town you live in. The panoramic view allows you to take it all in. It’s great for the type of homeward bound contemplation that lends itself to observations from every angle. The imagery adorning the cover of Big Eyes’ new album Streets of the Lost gets at this. The release, which has been described by the band as observing those who live on the outskirts of society, is outward facing in that same way. It collects stories from the passersby, the background parts, and less tread corners of life.
Similar to the theme of Streets of the Lost, Big Eyes have been on the outskirts of the punk scene mixing a blend of power-pop, rock ‘n’ roll, and punk rock for the better part of a decade having released their first demo in 2010. “Hourglass” opens up the album with ploddy chords, but the album really starts to connect in the second track. It’s not a surprise “Lucky You” was the album single. The guitar riff is classic, the lyrics are biting, and the melody is irresistible. It tackles those who can’t see past the silver soon they were born with, even when hanging in their parents’ penthouse in Spain.
This album delivers when Big Eyes hit that formula. The band has tempered their pop-punk leanings for classic rock favoritism. There are shades of 70s and 80s power pop throughout the album falling to the lighter side of contemporaries Sheer Mag. The dramatic and growing build up on title track “Streets of the Lost” brims with ego. The guitar solos following the chorus of “Try Hard Kiss Ass” come straight from the garage. “Young, Dumb, and Bored” channels the simplicity of three chord rock by The Ramones with some of their rock ‘n’ roll influences.
The album colors pictures of the periphery. “The Upside” tells a story about being down on your luck with lines like, “sometimes you drink when nothing feels right / sometimes you fall when you're already down.” The indie inflected “Nearly Got Away” tells about being on the verge of escape after a crime spree. Similar topics are covered on “When Midnight Comes” and “Suddenly Nowhere.”
Big Eyes’ Streets of the Lost is an enjoyable album. While some of the lesser tracks can blend together, there is enough in here to keep one’s attention. It’s the panoramic view that allows you to appreciate the little things tucked away in its corners.