Man Overboard
Heart Attack
Rise Records (2013)
Score: 8/10
Few bands have worked their way to a prominent spot in their genre as seemingly effortlessly as Man Overboard has, with throngs of kids rallying to “defend pop punk” over the past couple of years. There’ve been headlining tours, popular online studio update videos, and exploding merchandise sales. And this upward trend seems to continue with the release of the band’s junior full-length, Heart Attack.
“Boy Without Batteries” has everything you’ve come to love from Man Overboard. Pair the infectious bass line with a cool little melody for the hook and you have the recipe for success. One of my favorite M.O. songs to date, Heart Attack’s title track has a quicker pace than the record’s average all thanks to an awesome drum line. The kit is put to full use through the first couple verses as well as the melodic, deliberate hook.
The lyrics take a more mature turn on this record, in the sense that not every song is about dates gone awry at skate rinks or house parties. The topics now include family life, a sometimes dark view of future relationships, and the ups and downs of music as a way of life.
“Suppy” has a skate-punk feel and a catchy vibe to boot. Vocalists Zac Einsenstein and Nik Bruzzese complement each other so well that you can hardly tell one from the other. It’s probably the best they’ve ever sounded as a pair. “Hoodie Song” has been on repeat in my car for a while now. The intense tempo and honest lyrics are delivered with a great rhythm and a booming chorus in the background. And speaking of choruses, the one on “Open Season” will have you singing along for days.
But ever self-aware, Man Overboard knows where their strong suits lie, and “Wide Awake” is the gem of Heart Attack. Reminiscent of their hit “Love Your Friends, Die Laughing,” this bittersweet semi-acoustic song radiates from the speakers and might even induce a tear or two. “There’s gotta be another way for me to get to you…” is a simple line, but encompasses the angst this record oozes. The constant struggle to find the right words and make the right moves is the centerpiece of Heart Attack, and probably of this band. Much like their other releases, they managed to pick the perfect song to close the curtain.
If you were a fan of Man Overboard before this release, expect your fandom to only swell after a couple spins. It’s well-produced and polished on all ends, relatively mature, and as catchy as all the Man Overboard songs you’ve ever heard.
– Felipe Garcia
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