Unglued Reviews

With their second album, Amber Pacific continue to deliver glossy pop-punk with often notably powerful drumming. As such, they’re most easily described as being equivalent to New Found Glory circa 2002 (I would not have blinked an eye if you told me that Temporary was an NFG cover), or perhaps MxPx in their more recent guise (so it’s appropriate that Mike Herrera of MxPx features as guest vocalist on the track Runaway).

Rule #76 serves as a rather misleading intro to the album, being an instrumental blending strings and piano. Summer (in B) invalidates this first impression, with breakneck drums by Dango dominating the song, although guitarist and songwriter William Nutter also has some chances to shred impressively.

Temporary is a bit slower but is instantly familiar, as Matt Young sings a chorus that’s harder to forget than your own name. (Similar things can be said about the pop-drenched radio-ready love song Fall Back Into My Life, albeit more grudgingly.) Follow Your Dreams is also mid-tempo, although it still has enough vitality to prove that not every song with a string section has to be a ballad.

Strings reappear throughout the album, however, so it’s inevitable that they’d eventually appear on a torch song. Take Me From This Place is that track, and its inclusion alone puts paid to the ridiculous title of We Think We’re Hardcore, Cause Well, We Are (which in itself is little more than an instrumental lead-in to the following Runaway, a fast-paced and catchy highlight).

The fiery Living Proof again showcases Dango’s skills, alongside those of fellow rhythm section member Greg Strong, and inspirational final track Dear _____, This Has Always Been About Standing Up For What You Believe In… is passionate.

If you’re a fan of pop-punk, this album is well-worth investigating. It certainly sucks a lot less corporate dick than the immaculate airbrushed band photos in the sleeve would suggest.

Owen Heitmann