Reviewed on Oct 8, 2005 by Tom

My relationship with P.O.Box is a weird one. I simply love the guys, but as time passes by I see myself alienated a bit further from their music. There’s almost nothing left of the sparkling feel-good skapunk these guys delivered on their demo album now almost three years ago. Instead, throughout the months, P.O.Box acquired themselves a social conscience and expanded their musical background with a message-bearing backbone as well. Not that the spirit of their belief wasn’t present on their demo (there was Da Pen after all), but it’s just so much more pronounced now. I’m not sure if I like this evolution, but I can only respect their decision and commitment to try and get their point across.

So here we are, with the band’s third release so far, and if there’s one thing that stands out it’s their ability to blend in so many different genres into something very P.O.Box-y. It all starts off with a sample from Charlie Chaplin’s movie “The Great Dictator”, once more putting the band’s strong social engagement in the spotlight. It’s something you just cannot escape while listening to the tunes this French band. Things finally get going with “Bully”, a mid-paced ska-song that sees the brass-section lift it to another level altogether with some superb arrangements while a bad-ass change of pace near the end of the song really adds the finishing touch. One thing that sets me off completely here are Seb’s vocals though. It never bothered me that much before, but it seems like he’s trying to put too many words in his mouth at the same time, which makes the lyrics come out as an endless blurry stream. “Whatever They Said” is a crunchy fast-paced track with some neat temp-switches and is just one of those examples how P.O.Box can blend in so many stylistic approaches into a coherent whole. The screams add a nice touch. “Death Promises Me A Better Place” continues along the same pace but is just a far better track with superb arrangements. In fact I think this one is by far the best track the band has ever created, together with the dub-reggae marvel that is “As Time Flies By”. I really didn’t think the band had it in them to pull off an instrumental song like this because I thought Seb’s vocals where just too important for the band but I stand corrected. It’s one of those timeless compositions you can put on in any circumstance, no matter what mood you’re in. Classy stuff right there. “Diving” and “Broken Hearts & Credit Cards” pick up the beat once again, and especially “Diving” with that one superb brass harmony, it’s multitude of little breaks and screaming backing vocals is a real scorcher. “Strike Back” finishes off the little EP in a sentimental manner as it’s a slow ballad-like track that doesn’t really hold much value. It’s just not captivating enough though the melodies are well-placed. In all fairness though, this is surely the band’s most complete and best release so far, even the artwork offers something more if you really dig into it. But i sourely miss that sparkling sensation, those feel-good rhythms and the vibe this band transmitted through means of their earliest compositions. Call me a sentimental old fool, but I want something that can make me escape the sadness of everyday life, not something that shoves my nose right into it.

Once more, P.O.Box kind of surprised me with a take on things that transcends the boundaries of the traditional ska-punk sound they’re so closely associated with as they blend in melodic hardcore and pop elements at leisure and even add fearsome screams to some songs, which is something you rarely encounter in this genre. And yet again I am unable to appreciate this release in all of it’s aspects because of one thing and that is the recording quality. You’d expect them to deliver once and for all on their third release, but they fool-hardily cling to this DIY aspect that stops their compositions somewhat in their tracks and withholds them from blossoming to their full power. The drum-arrangements, especially on Diving, sound supremely flat and there’s other instrumental flaws to detect all across the album as well, but at least there is a vast margin of improvement since their last album. Maybe I’m just too close to the band to view this objectively but I sincerely think they can belch out a sound that is so far superior and would really put their songwriting talents in the spotlights instead of having them foiled by clinging onto their principles in somewhat of a mis-directed fashion. I think that for the band the time has come to make a choice: to come play with the big boys or forever stay in the shadow of what they might have become. What will it be?

Related Links:

• www.pobox-band.com
• www.wingedskull.cjb.net

1. Bully
2. Whatever They Said
3. Death Promises Me A Better Place
4. As Time Flies By...
5. Diving
6. Broken Hearts & Credit Cards
7. Strike Back

Band Profile

Band Of The Month November 2006

Album Reviews

	... And The Lipstick Traces Oct 18, 2006
	Rock My Reality Jan 31, 2004
	Demo Dec 31, 2001

Interviews

Mar 6, 2007