Even though these kids are from Kent, the singer sounds like Joel Madden. That’s possibly because this EP was actually recorded by the Good Charlotte twins. How this ended up in their sweaty palms God only knows, but it has. The press release describes Linchpin as a cross between Silverchair and the Foo Fighters, but I’d call them an immature Good Charlotte. Seriously – it’s not good. Four songs whizz by in just 11 minutes, and yeah, they’re on the very well produced and catchy side, but they smack of a band being groomed for super-stardom. A record deal with EMI and songs co-written by Guy Chambers (he of Robbie Williams/’Angels’ fame) suggest they’re not your average ‘punk’ band…
With songs like ‘Jesus Had Long Hair’ and ‘Crazy Girl’ the band don’t really sound any older than their 15 years, although they do play with some talent. I do have reservations about bands that start off on major labels and are seemingly born as a band with a silver spoon in their mouth – and Linchpin don’t help to dispell that myth. I’m sure the Yanks will lap them up and they’ll be TRL bound in no time, but this is about as dangerous as Scooby Doo. One for Good Charlotte fans.
www.linchpinrock.com
Sleeper/EMI
Paul