CHASER

"Small Victories" (Thousand Island Records; 2024)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

"Small Victories" from Chaser, is thirteen tracks of high-energy melodic punk rock with a crisp, powerful sound. The guitars sound fresh, fast and clean, the drums often race along at a breakneck pace, and Mike LeDonne's lead vocal style is perfect for the genre. According to the band, the album title is in reference to the band's feeling that, "in life, we are continuously presented with challenges, each to our own degree. Managing our personal struggles, we tend to beat ourselves up when the outcome is not as perfect as we envisioned. Instead, let's learn to appreciate and revel in the small wins that occur on a daily basis. They each carry weight and over time, have the potential to add up to greatness!" And you can hear that difference while you listen to this album. It's not some sugary sweet ode to the good things in life. Instead, it acknowledges the hard times but always reminds you that you can push through it.

My favorite tracks were the racous "Control the Bleed," the rolling riffs of "Out of the Shadows" and the cleansing closer, "A Revel Song," in which the band welcomes the listener to join them in celebrating the good things.

Recommended for fans of such bands as Green Day, The Offspring and CKY, Chaser's "Small Victories" is a bright spot in the often murky punk rock scene.

Chaser: Mike LeDonne (vocals), Jesse Stopnitzky (bass/vocals), Bill Hockmuth (guitar) and Davey Guy (drums).

For more information, check out https://chaserpunkrock.com/.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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