Second Story

A small Texas band, Second Story recorded their new EP, Not The Same As Last Year, with Kory Gable, who has worked with bands like Punchline and I Call Fives, as well as Travis Hill. The result of this is an EP that should fair well around here, with influences of emo and some anthem-like pop-punk elements riddled within these six tracks. Last year, I listened to a ton of Have Mercy and the like, and so far this year, the new You Blew It! has dominated my speakers. Well, this EP fits loosely right alongside those records, with a more pop-punk edge – although I use that term lightly here.

Opening track “Anxiety’s Got The Best of Me” begins with Calob Broussard’s rough delivery of “All this back and forth / Has us going through the motions / It’s wearing thin / And I don’t know where it ends” before Travis Odom cuts in and provides a dual-vocal harmony that is a combination of gruff vocals with nasally ones that acts as a throwback to early 2000s bands in this genre – not unlike how Pinsky did back in 2012. More upbeat and guitar centered, “This Time I’ve Got It” has a more raw feel to it, leaning more toward gritty punk end of the pop-punk spectrum than the new school pop/hook centered bands. The well-placed “whoa-ohs-ohs” and “hey”s contrasted with Broussard’s unexpectedly infectious raw vocals dictate exactly how well this band just gets it. They don’t need a poppy hook or refrain to have your foot tapping as your head bobs.

The dual guitar work of Odom and Broussard drives “Story Of My Life,” as track doesn’t depend on vocal delivery as much as the first two. Rather, it reflects the musicianship of the three members. The guitars are piercing at points, commanding attention, but throughout the chorus and refrains, the tones simply guide the song along. The diversity of the band continues with “Strangers,” a track that starts off as an acoustic number before taking off into the most melodic track on the EP. The guitars and drums dance lightly in the background, letting the upbeat and melody-focused vocal performance have the spotlight. The closing “Wasting Time” reminds me of good ol’ acoustic pop-punk/emo songs. It’s nothing too crazy or outlandish, but the simplicity and refrains of “Where did you go / I wanna know / Time’s moving slow / Without you” harken back to simple acoustic melodies.

Six rather short tracks, Not The Same As Last Year, makes quite a fond first impression for Second Story. The band travels all over the early 2000s emo/pop-punk/whatever map. There’s the acoustic track, gruff first two numbers, and melodic chorus-fixated jams. And sure enough, it’s all done quite well. If you’re looking for a new EP to kick off your year, give this one a spin, as it’s my first “favorite and unexpected surprise” of 2014. - absolutepunk