Maybe it’s because breakdowns and lightening fast pop punk is all the rage right now, but Oregon’s Broadway Calls come off a bit like underdogs. They’ve never really quite had adulation on the scale of bands like The Wonder Years or Polar Bear Club, and it’s a shame because they’ve been so consistent since their conception. Their new EP carries on that tradition, and as well as being tremendously listenable, there’s barely a weak moment to speak of.
The band’s sincere and forthright punk is one of those breath of fresh airs you hear so much about, and tracks like ‘Horizons And Histories’ and ‘Denver’ are absolutely brilliant.
Acoustic closer ‘Stealing Sailboats’ seems a little like a risky choice at first, but it rounds off the EP nicely, and you’ll be sticking the whole thing back on before you know it.
Fans of older Green Day, Bouncing Souls and Osker will have loads to like here, but regardless of what sort of punk you’re into, there’s plenty of reasons to give ‘Toxic Kids’ a spin.
TOM AYLOTT