Now before I begin it should be known that high energy american style pop-punk is hardly what you'd call 'my cup of tea'. So it was with a great deal of trepidation that I sat down to this (beautifully packaged) record. 'Distances' is a split EP release between Philidelphia's 'The Wonder Years' and our very own 'All Or Nothing' the 7" I received for review was a beautiful package. The format works perfectly on vinyl too, one band on one side, one band on the other side, it's simple and elegant and I'd love to see more of it. Anyway onto the music.

Both bands sound very similar on the surface so it's immediately obvious why they chose to release a record together. 'All Or Nothing' seem slightly less polished but both bands rely heavily on new school pop punk melodies and old school hardcore riffs and rhythms, and the sound in both cases is really full. The only immediately noticeable difference is the cheesy 80's synth which cuts through the mix in both of The Wonder Years songs. It doesn't work at-all and only serves to add another layer of syrup on a mix already heavy with sugar. Misplaced keyboards aside though both bands utilise a mixture of sounds that work well, the sugar rush energy and 'gang' vocals sound like a call to arms (or at very least a call to skateboards) and although the vocalists in both bands rely on a heavy american twang (remember one of these bands is from Birmingham) they manage to carry the songs with conviction.

There are some major pitfalls though, the melodies in all 4 songs are interchangeable, though as I understand it that may well be a common 'job hazard' within the genre. For starters the lyrics (as humorous and engaging as they are) don't really seem to work as song lyrics. There is little poetry and pacing and too much explanation, some of the lines actually read as literal description. And so it feels as though the melodies come second to the lyrics and that everything has been shaped around the overly complex word-play, which makes for a style I find it very difficult to engage with. There are some memorable moments scattered throughout though, with the chorus of AON's '"I'm not being rude" standing out in particular and some really interesting lead guitar parts on TWY's "Don't Open The Fridge" (kudos on the Buwokswi name-check, if nothing else your obviously well read). So there is merit here for the non pop-punker (I have heard records by New Found Glory and compared to the songs on 'Distances' they sound lifeless), overall though I reckon to a genre fan this would be a great record but to anybody else this would sound like it did to me (pleasant but repetitive). There is little potential for cross-over success but within the scene I could see this record really gain both bands a legion of new fans.

Tracklisting

Side A (The Wonder Years)

1. An Elegy For Baby Blue
2. Don't Open The Fridge

Side B (All Or Nothing)

3. I'm Not Being Rude, But I Could Have Had Your Job
4. Summer Vacation In Providence