Along with a number of other bloggers, I did my fair share of hyping up The Soft Pack last year. And their debut album justifies all that enthustiastic frothing - because it is fucking ace. It’s the best debut album since Is This It changed the rock n roll topography 10 years ago.
The Strokes’ debut is an apt reference point, as The Soft Pack share some sensibilities and sounds with the languid New Yorkers. Like The Strokes, The Soft Pack embrace sparse guitar lines, Factory Records style melodies, a nod to punk energy and a natty skill for churning out hooky tunes.
There are of course some important differences. The Soft Pack aren’t shackled by the chains of cool that perhaps in retrospect The Strokes suffered from. They’re not afraid to spazz out a bit and to lose control. Aw Cmon is a firecracker of a rally cry - a perfect debut opening track. Elsewhere, Flammable lights up side B with genuine punk rock ferocity. The Strokes’ cool - though arresting at the time - seems a bit premeditated and worked at, whereas The Soft Pack put more effort into rocking out than briefing stylists.
Perfect indie pop tunes make the majority of the Soft Pack debut. Down on Loving has hit single written all over it - insanely catchy with hooky reverb guitar lines. Answer to Yourself, Pull Out, Tides of Time & Parasites hit similar punk pop high notes - 3 minute gems you would treasure as set of A-side singles (infact, Parasites was previously released as a 45, with the equally brilliant Walking With Jesus as side B). Move Along incorporates fax machine style white noise into the formula and Mexico deserves special mention for its change of pace. It’s a lazy indie island tune, with waves of reverb twang and hula croon.
The Soft Pack ‘Down on Lovin” from Felipe Lima on Vimeo.
Each member of The Soft Pack is a god of their chosen instrument / vocal chords but I’ve got to single out special praise for guitarist Matty McLoughlin. Awesome rhythm guitaring powers the songs along, and a mix of discordant lead breaks and familiar guitar hooks sparkle in each song like the dust of crushed audio diamonds.
The album is out on February 2nd. You couldn’t wish for a better start to the musical year.
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