Too by FIDLAR

FIDLAR are a Los Angeles, California based skate/garage punk band who formed back in 2009. Since their inception, they've released only one full-length album back in 2013, which was of course their eponymous debut. On this album, the band blew away both critics and music fans alike, as they were able to blend together genres like skate punk, garage rock, surf rock, and more, with their own lo-fi sound. While the album was able to bring together comedy with some rocking musicianship from the band members, it's their latest album Too that has me really excited to see what the four-piece is capable of.

The album's lead single, 40oz. On Repeat would lead the listener to believe that the band is delivering an album much like their first, only slightly more produced and cleaned up. That however, is far from the truth. While the lead single does carry that same garage punk ethic that helped the band's first album become so popular, they quickly shift styles when the second track Punks rolls around. This track is a hard hitting, at times psychedelic cut, that features vocalist Zac Carper screaming at the listener.

If I was to simply list off the best tracks and talk about what makes them so enjoyable, I'd be here all day. To understand the versatility of FIDLAR, you really need to give the album a listen. There's a handful of classic punk cuts like 40oz, Sober, Drone, and more, but you also get some songs that can't easily be described by a genre classification. Tracks like Punks, Why Generation, and Overdose are perfect examples of that. Overdose stands out as one of the best tracks in the listing for me personally, as the song kicks off sounding almost folk-ish, with a very Tom Waits inspired guitar riff that transcends into pure chaos within the last thirty seconds as we get shrieked vocals, distorted guitars, and a heavy drum beat to lead the track out. The album's strength, in my opinion, lies in the band's diversity, as they really make an effort to keep any two songs from sounding too similar. 

Labeling an album as "skate-punk" can often times be a big turn off for music fans, who will then expect a project the likes of something done by Avril Lavigne or Simple Plan, but this album is so much more than that. While much more produced and less lo-fi than their debut, Too is a step in the right direction for the very talented young band, as they've shed the label of being a local punk band, and instead are throwing their name into the hat of best up and coming bands in the music world right now. If you need any more proof that punk isn't dead, take a look at FIDLAR's latest release, because you're bound to be surprised.

Rating: A-

Favorite Tracks: 40oz. On Repeat, Punks, West Coast, Why Generation, Sober, Overdose, Stupid Decisions

Least Favorite Tracks: None