What ever happened to the OC Supertones and bands of that ilk? You know what I mean, the ska-punk bands so popular in early to mid-2000’s. New Jersey’s No Lost Cause are back with a six-song ep to remind all the old-timers of those days and to bring that sound to a new generation. Well, maybe that’s my interpretation but I do hear a lot of the old bands and sound on this ep, just without the horns.
Hailing from Tom’s River, New Jersey, No Lost Cause started in 2010 with the goal of bringing “hope to the listeners while putting out some music you might be able to tap your foot or nod your head to.” Fans of the OC Supertones, FIF, and other ska/punk bands of the time will find some very familiar sounds, with the notably exception of the horns as NLC is a three-piece with no horn section. The ep was recorded at Eightsixteen studios in Bayville, New Jersey, with mixing and mastering by Buddy Eirman.
The ep, as short as it is, seems to almost be divided into two sections. The songs “Your Days are Numbered”, “So Amazing”, and “TPR” are a bit softer and more radio-friendly than those on the second half of the album. I must hand it to the band, the song “TPR” is some clever songwriting. Granted musically, it sounds very much like a ripoff of a Supertones song and/or FIF song , especially in the verse sections, the band has managed to incorporate the Thumper Punk records roster of bands into the lyrics, even managing to fit in Hippos of Doom without making it seem too weird.
“Fight” takes on a darker, faster tone than the previous songs on the ep with the vocals mostly barked out at the listener and certainly rougher than any on the first half of the ep. Either way “Fight” ends up as good, driving fast punk rock song and has something resembling a breakdown in it. For those wondering about the description and title, the lyrics stay true to the band’s Christian beliefs, “So stand and fight we’ll overcome, Our strength is Christ alone, we’re more than conquerors”.
Yes, I did say the second half of the album was darker than the first half but choosing to cover the Rick Astley tune “NGGYU” sort of destroys that idea as does the ska-heavy sounds on “Mainstream” that again sounds as if it could be off an OC Supertones B-sides album if their horn section stayed out of it.
No Lost Cause has put together some downright catchy tunes on this ep, although some veterans and those with large cd collections will hear some familiar sounds, and even some sounds very similar to their debut album/ep.
Rating: 6.5/10
Tracklist:
1. Your Days Are Numbered
2. So Amazing
3. TPR
4. Fight
5. NGGYU
6. Mainstream (Turn It All Around)
Band Members:
Rob Jensen – Guitar, vocals
Gene Black – Drums
Chuck D.E. – Bass
Albums:
“NLC” (2013) [review]
Record Label: Thumper Punk Records, Aug. 2015
Weblinks: Facebook / Twitter / Bandcamp
Buy the album here:
Holland: First Paradox
Norway: Nordic Mission
Lyric video for ‘Fight’