There’s hardly been a better description of modern pop punk than in DEVIATION. Hooky guitars and catchy harmonies, this band combines all the formulae of where pop punk is currently at. This is both a blessing and a curse. The new EP ‘Tell It Like It Is’ is good for what it is, which is four songs of cheery teen angst – a surprisingly apt contradiction. ‘Wait Up For Me’, the opening track and standout of the release is certainly a toe-tapper, and that’s what the group do best; songs that have good live potential. The problem is that it’s four songs of relatively unoriginal music. The production’s great, the songs are entertaining enough but the release brings nothing new to the table. Good for a listen if that’s your bag but there needs to be more in their next effort if the band hopes to have some longevity.
JOSIE MARTIN