If you like Never Heard Of It, Hit The Lights and a whole array of poppy pop-punk bands, you’ll probably enjoy Better Luck Next Time. Based over in the US, they’re big in Japan but unisgned everywhere else. However, having made the last five bands in the Takeover Records ‘sign your band’ contest, things could well be looking up for the band. Originally released in 2005, this 10-tracker is choc-full of singalongs and melodies, and while not re-inventing the wheel, which pop-punk rarely does to be fair, it’s a very enjoyable listen.
You could argue that some other bands do this better (NFG, Hit The Lights), but Better Luck Next Time are certainly better than most. ‘Motionless’ is a tune, while ‘Carry On‘ and ‘Without You’ have huge hooks. There’s a pop side to the band as well as an obvious punk influence, making this album a lot of fun. A bit like old-skool Allister, before they got given a fancy studio and producer to do the hard work for them. If you like your punk to be pop, BLNT are certainly ones to check out.