Europunk.net - Album Review: Straightaway - Democracy Of Spreading Poverty

Straightaway - Democracy Of Spreading Poverty

Reviewed on May 21, 2008 by Roel

Hot damn! Can somebody point out why fast skatepunk isn’t popular anymore in the US? Or why all those new bands from Europe playing this style rock so hard yet hardly get any attention? Since when is France the capitol of melodicore anyway? All those questions are making my head spin…

One thing I know for sure though: Straightaway’s debut full length “Democracy of Spreading Poverty” is awesome. Are you still sad about the demise of the Satanic Surfers? Cheer up! If anything, Straightaway borrows a lot of influences from those Swedes. The typical melodies of the Surfers’ best record (most of you will disagree with me here) “Unconsciously Confined” can be found on here as well. Lofti’s vocals remind me of Rodrigo’s as well: not so much because their voices are alike, but the way they both stretch certain notes out. Just listen to the title song on here to know what I mean.

That paragraph may give you the impression that Straightaway is a straight Satanic Surfers rip-off . Although both bands play the same kind of music and sound similar on certain points, Straightaway injects enough things of their own. The production for instance, sounds very tidy and clean. The technical level of playing is very high as well. The instrumental tightness is amazing. You’ll get some awesome guitar leads all album through. The drums at points remind me of Strung Out due to their loudness, pace and a rather metal influence at points.

If you’re into technical skatepunk and/or the bands mentioned above, you can’t go wrong with this release. Although not very original, this is probably the best skatepunk album I’ve heard in a while. These guys are up there with their fellow countrymen Uncommonmenfrommars, Straighten Things Out AND their influences. You shouldn’t miss out on this album: go buy (it) Straightaway!