Album Review: Arms Length Away "Just My Luck EP"

Arms Length Away- Just My Luck EP

Release Date: December 13, 2010

DOWNLOAD LINK: http://www.mediafire.com/?nbbjj456ca1gs67

Track Listing:

1- “Call Me Superstitious”

2- “Just My Luck”

3- “Momentum”

4- “Settings Default”

5- “To Be Quite Honest”

6- “110%”

Click "Read More" to check out Lock and Key Music's exclusive review! 

Arms Length Away’s physical debut, the Just My Luck EP, is available to download for free! Be sure to download this stellar local band’s release and tell us your thoughts in the comments.

Click “Read More” to check out Lock and Key Music’s exclusive review!

“Call Me Superstitious” opens with shredding guitar riffs one might expect to find on a Four Year Strong record. “My Irish heritage doesn’t show up that often,” frontman Connor Nolte sings, introducing listeners to record’s themes of luck, chance and staying afloat. As the song continues into its prechorus, Nolte shows off his pipes and his unique sense of lyricism and melody. “Call Me Superstitious” is well composed, with timely full band breaks occurring briefly before the band lets loose with a powerful hook. The hardcore influenced breakdown that kicks in towards the end of the song hits at the band’s heavier influences, which will be better explored later in the EP.

“Just My Luck”, the title track that follows, is one of the band’s most memorable, continuing thematically where “Call Me Superstitious” left off. Heavy drum fills courtesy of drummer Huy Lam and heavy guitar riffs lead into brief screaming vocals from Nolte, which are guaranteed to catch the listener by surprise. Arms Length Away’s ability to combine pop-punk catchiness and hardcore instrumentals creates a sound that’s hard not to get into.

The third track on the EP, “Momentum” opens with dual guitars playing one of the record’s most memorable riffs. Lam’s powerful drums don’t disappoint, and Nolte’s vocals head in a more groove based direction. “Give me a moment, I’ll make a monument” will stand the test of time as one of the record’s catchiest lines.

“Settings Default” allows Lam and bassist Andrew McGinn to share the spotlight, with portions of the song’s verses featuring only Lam, McGinn and Nolte. The vocals on the song feature background vocals that stand out from the rest of the record’s tracks, in a good way. Nolte’s screaming vocals also make a well deserved return, albeit only for half of a verse.

“To Be Quite Honest” opens with a catchy guitar lick that sounds like something ripped from pop radio or a commercial jingle, but the boys in Arms Length Away make it work. Lam’s drums hold down the fort in the rhythm department as always, and the song stands out of as one of the band’s most personal, with bittersweet and indecisive lyrics calling to mind “Momentum” and “Settings Default”.

Fan-favorite “110%” has a slightly different style to it, sounding a little rawer and more indicative of the band’s live sound. Nolte’s vocals sound more spacious and comfortable, and the groove based verses wouldn’t sound out of place on a Jimmy Eat World record. “110%” is a more straightforward love song than the conflicted romances told throughout the rest of the record.

SCORE: 8/10

STANDOUT TRACKS: Call Me Superstitious, Just My Luck,110%

PARTING WORDS: Arms Length Away have found a niche pop-punk sound that allows them to play with all of the staples of the genre while still leaving their own unique mark on their songs. Keep an eye on these punk rock powerhouses.