REVIEW: Word Problems - 'Covered, Vol. 1'
Who misses punk? We all need a little rebellious spirit in our lives in this day and age, and with today's review we've got something hot on our hands. Word Problems have released a stunning new cover-oriented EP appropriately titled Covered, Vol. 1. The self proclaimed noisy punk band hails from Atlanta, Georgia but that doesn't stop these boys from sounding like a more melodic Nothington and gritty early days Rise Against, with a pinch of the vocalist from LA 8 Bit Indie Punk band Totally Radd!! Word Problems puts together a sonic boom collection of early 2000’s punk-driven post-hardcore and skate punk songs, giving listeners that basement recording vibes with rich dynamics that show a mastery of the tracks.
Starting off the three track EP, an uncompromised cover of Brand New’s “Sudden Death In Carolina”, which sets the tone for the album. You know these songs, you know these bands, but this is the Word Problems version. Trading the guitar laden intro for a thick fuzzy bass that leads into a belted roar, letting you know right out the gate that Word Problems is here to make this song different. Bassist Devin Stiles definitely rocks the joint here, throughout the EP feeling like a lead bass player. Trading whiny, sad melancholic singing for a gritty, gravely vocal delivery, vocalist Zach Martin explores the song with the same frantic delivery with more powerful fortitude. The three piece explores the song in a similar manner from there on, adding more fry screams throughout with more aggression found in the guitars/bass and drums. I wouldn't consider this a safe cover, as it ends with a very pronounced "fuck" to ensure a parental advisory sticker is slapped on this bad boy.
You probably heard of the next song from Tony Hawk Pro Skater (you'll hear it again in those highly anticipated remakes too) or a Warped Tour Summer Sampler - Millencolin's "No Cigar". A respectable tribute to a band that paved the way for the wave of skate punk bands in the early 2000s. I will say the little "woo" after the introduction would make the 16 time world champion "The Nature Boy", Ric Flair, blush. While still a great cover, it takes fewer creative liberties, sticking true to the source material. I will say the mix on the drums is masterful, the pulse pounding delivery is stellar and superb; drummer Michael Schmidt is definitely in his element here and carries the song with his excellent rendition. The guitars and bass do their job to a T, cutting the rhythmic sound barrier like a shark hungry for a meal. Word Problems definitely has a respect for the roots of their scene and they show it in spades on this track.
To close out the Covered, Vol. 1 EP, we find ourselves in a total different direction, landing in a cover of My Chemical Romance’s “Give ‘Em Hell, Kid”. From the start, the song is soaked in a deep bass line saturated in a robust overdrive that creates more of a grungy, in-your-face approach, with a much more ballsy guttural delivery in screams. The guitarist really shines here with the fast delivery, never missing a beat as the frantic energy cuts through like a buzzsaw. The screams vary on this track - more so than “Sudden Death In Carolina” - bouncing from a punk yell to a near hardcore/metalcore roar that's impressive considering this a punk band at it's roots. It is with confidence that this is the most impressive track on the album.
With an eclectic collection of songs that tap into that early 2000’s Warped Tour punk/post-hardcore scene, there's something here for everyone's nostalgic taste. Producer, Tyler Douglas, let the band shine on this record, complimenting their play-styles and letting the personality of the band glimmer like brilliant light throughout. The EP is a breath of fresh air in a sea of bands that try so hard to replicate each other; this band is here to give you that classic energy in their own manner, genres and labels be damned.
With a full LP release slated for this summer, this EP is a wonderful taste of where this band plans on going. It's safe to say there's something in the water out in Georgia that's fuelling these boys to create a fervent passion on their records. Looking at their catalog of work, the sky's the limit and I would recommend Covered, Vol. 1 if anyone needs a little injection of stalwart punk to awaken that lion-hearted spirit inside of you.
Speaking with singer/guitarist Zach Martin on what he would like people to take away from this EP, he had this to say: "I just want people to feel transported back to the same era that those songs were able to make us feel what they did." After hearing this EP on repeat for the last few hours, I can definitely say that's exactly the vibe I was struck in the face with, but sometimes a nice right hook to the face reminds us we're still alive and how far we've come.
Check out Covered, Vol. 1 and keep an eye peeled for what’s to come from Word Problems.