UKNW SOUNDS : MODERN BASEBALL (USA)
After first listening to the album, initially, one might say it’s a bit like hell on earth. However, although we remain weary and indifferent, with a little procrastination we find a singer with a beautiful voice and some well crafted arrangements. And it was only after standing back and a giving the music a little time to ripen, that we see that enthusiastically, it picks itself up from the ground. “This is the best record in the world.”, holding some dignity Modern Baseball give us the album Sports.
Since November, these 4 pop punk artists quickly became a hit on various music sites, Tumblr and other specialized blogs. In tune with the times emerges Sports and the musicality and lyrics are as good as each other. Like an extract from a nerdy teenager’s or fallen quarterback’s diary, the lyrics exude nostalgia, similar to a Sum 41 verse about regretted high school years or that of a melancholy Green Day. In @ chl03k 2 young lovers are the imagination of the 2.0 generation. Like an unfortunate virtual game they live in a world of Facebook and Twitter and listening to the lyrics it all makes sense. The guys adventures continue and give us The Weekend, a result of a well watered weekend.
Through the setbacks and teenager confessions, Sports is musically controlled and quite eclectic for it’s genre. The exciting Tears Over Beers, See Ya Sucker and Look Out confirm that indeed we really are listening to good old punk rock. The UFO track Cooke engages in rhythmic beats and the folk guitar almost makes us think of an Andalusian guitar. I Think You Were In My Profile and Coals are 2 acoustic tracks like the dusk of a spring break – the calm after the storm – and perfectly punctuate a balanced tracklist. And let’s not forget the youthful voice and wording of the singer who fits perfectly within the musical atmosphere.
Wandering amidst the beats and strings, Modern Baseball have a very authentic sound. They kick out a old-school sound where one could be easily identified. The expressive showing of feelings is cheerful and fresh, and a melancholy hint makes it difficult to leave alone. Their tracks allow us to dive into their party years however also into their young hearts.
Julien Catala