New Found Glory – Radiosurgery

By Tom Aylott

2011 is massive, massive year for pop-punk. The new breed are nipping at the heels of newly revitalised “veterans” of the scene with some game changing releases, and the pressure to deliver for bands like New Found Glory is high.

‘Radiosurgery’ is a release that couldn’t afford to have only a few good tracks on, and there’s no question at all that it’s consistent. It’s about as “classic” New Found Glory as you could expect a decade on from their self-titled, and as is consistent with the ethos of the band in general – it’s all about the fans.

It’s certainly not carrying the rampaging speed and giant beatdowns of many of the pop-punk releases this year from bands that owe them so much, but here, the band are doing what they’re best at and delivering their all important USP: catchy, soaring choruses led by a strong Jordan Pundik vocal.

The lead single and title track, perhaps a little oddly, is probably the least memorable of the bunch, and the album generally seems to come into its own as it carries on – by the time ‘Ready Aim Fire!’ and ‘Dumped’ arrive mid-way through, the album has its talons firmly into your brain.

New Found Glory probably won’t convert the unconverted with ‘Radiosurgery’, and have by no means rewritten the pop-punk rulebook – but seeing as they did that already, they’re more than let off and it’s well worth a listen.

TOM AYLOTT

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