Review Summary: Accessible emo rock from some sad midwest dudes.
The midwest will always be the heartland for emo. From the cold ass winters, to the love-filled springs that lead into heartbroken falls, and then right back to the cold ass winters. It’s an endless cycle of ***. But it’s also an endless cycle of inspiration for sad songs from sad dudes with shaggy hair and big glasses.
Cue Township, a group of twenty-somethings from Fond du Lac, WI. The influences are obvious here: Sunny Day Real Estate, Texas Is the Reason, even Hum. Focusing more on the tonality as opposed to technicality, Worn thrives on abrasive rock that combines melodic yells with lush guitars that bring to mind the golden age of emo.
Worn is six tracks, each a little different than the last. They released “Top Heavy” as their first single, for good reason. It’s one of the stronger tracks and is a good representation of what the band is capable of. Whether it’s some of the more technical leads, or the utilization of both vocalists as the song climaxes and resolves, “Top Heavy” sets the pace for the rest of the record.
The transitions here are flawless. Each song flows into the next without even the slightest hiccup, which is pretty cool for a band’s debut. A few things feel out of place here and there, but not enough to make you think twice. ”Cozen” is the next standout track, with a bridge that’s sure to bring on some crowd sing-a-longs in the next basement these guys play. The vocal production here is key, focusing on a roomy tone, but capturing the angst of both vocalists as they continue to rue and lament.
Some of the best ideas on the album are found in “Bow & Arrow”. With the intensity of early Transit, the band finds themselves picking things up a bit. Matt Weinberger really shines on this track, with some of his strongest lyrics and melodies. The closing chorus of, “There’s no more paintings on the walls,” sounds like a desperate cry from someone who feels empty and hollow.
The EP closes with “Worn”, the strongest track on all counts. It starts off with a riff reminiscent of early Balance & Composure or Seahaven. But when vocalist Nic Halverson starts to sing, you realize that something special is about to happen. The tension builds as percussion is added, the vocals intensify, and just as you’d expect, the band explodes with energy. The whole band screams in unison, “It’s colder than hell / the winter is taking over / fingertips are freezing / let’s hope this all blows over,” and you feel their pain. Everyone is at their best here, and it’s an outstanding end to an album just bursting with potential.
The thing that sets Township apart from other acts right now is that they’re not trying to sound like anyone else, but they’re also not trying to do anything radically different. They have some really great ideas here, and even though some tracks don’t stand up to the rest, the execution of these ideas is what makes this such a good listen.
