Rough Edge: New Found Glory CD Reviews

NEW FOUND GLORY

"Resurrection" (Hopeless Records; 2014)

Reviewed by Jeff Rogers

If you played New Found Glory beside all the other nasal sounding pop-punk bands I couldn't tell them from the others. I've heard this stuff before. It's got cool guitar but every track sounds the same to me; I need variety and layers. NFG are pretty one-sided and single-leveled. Since this is my first forte in their foray (or is it the other way around) I'll give them props for a few songs sounding heavy via the guitar ... but I couldn't tell you the names of those tracks.

The fact that they were on a tour called "Pop Punk's Not Dead" supporting this album, along with other bands of the same sound, tells me that it wasn't just a play on words but a call for help. Every now and then a band comes out to twist your head around but New Found Glory didn't do that for me considering I think this is first I've really sat down and tried to absorb them.

New Found Glory: Jordan Punkik - lead vocals; Chad Gilber - lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals; Ian Grushka - bass guitar; Cyrus Booloki - drums, percussion.

For more information, please visit http://www.newfoundglory.com.

"Coming Home" (Geffen/Drive-Thru; 2006)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

"Coming Home" doesn't sound all that different from previous New Found Glory CDs. It's your typical pop punk with similar rhythms and fairly one-dimensional vocals that can sometimes make one song sound just like another.

Still, there's something different about "Coming Home" and I think it has to do with (gasp!) the band's growing maturity. "Coming Home" has a more honest sound than the band's earlier records. It feels heartfelt, it feels insightful, it feels ... real. With "Coming Home," New Found Glory actually seems to be communicating for the first time (as opposed to just writing and performing songs that could easily become radio hits).

There's also a diversity here that's light years away from the band's earlier, murkier work that makes "Coming Home" stand out. Unlike previous CDs, "Coming Home" feels like a collection of different songs rather than an album-length song with different chapters.

Plus, there seems to be a renewed charisma in the band as well. Even when they perform "Too Good To Be" in a style that's almost campfire singalong, you can't help but get caught up in it.

This is the first time I've really enjoyed a New Found Glory CD and I'll admit, I was surprised. While the earlier CDs tend to fade into sponge rock territory, "Coming Home" has already garnered multiple plays in my CD player and I don't think I'll be tired of it any time soon.

New Found Glory is: Jordan Pundik - vocals; Chad Gilbert - guitar; Steve Klein - guitar; Ian Grushka - bass; Cyrus Bolooki - drums.

For more information, please visit http://www.newfoundglory.com.

"Catalyst" (MCA/Drive-Thru; 2004)

Reviewed by Snidermann

If you ask me, punk rock is the feel good rock of all time. There's a lot of great punk out there but, as with all music genres, some is better than others.

New Found Glory's "Catalyst" is good, but not great; solid but not outstanding. The music has a glossed over quality that has "corporate" written all over it. The vocals are nasal and whiny and sabotage several songs to the point of ruin. Hell, even the cover art looks nightmarish and creepy - and not in a good way.

I really wanted to like "Catalyst" but I can honestly say I didn't. Sorry guys, sounds like sponge rock to me - nothing special and no real fire.

"Sticks and Stones" (MCA/Drive-Thru; 2002)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

More power pop punk from the band that Blink 182 reportedly chose as their opening act (surprise, surprise).

Like the self-titled album before it, "Sticks and Stones" isn't a bad album, it's just pretty one dimensional and you've heard it all before. Still, this release has a little more charisma than its predecessor and rates an additional half chainsaw for that alone.

Stay tuned for the hidden track that plays 20 minutes after the last song for a bizarre finish.

New Found Glory is: Jordan Pundik - vocals; Chad Gilbert - guitar; Steve Klein - guitar; Ian Grushka - bass; Cyrus Bolooki - drums.

For more information, please visit http://www.newfoundglory.com.

"New Found Glory" (MCA/Drive-Thru; 2000)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

New Found Glory offer poppy punk rock that isn't bad but isn't anything to write home about. In other words, if you like peppy guitars, fast tempos, soft hooks and not much in the originality department, you might like this CD. It's kind of like Green Day with a kindler, gentler attitude. It's spongerock, pure and simple.

New Found Glory is: Jordan Pundik - vocals; Chad Gilbert - guitar; Steve Klein - guitar; Ian Grushka - bass; Cyrus Bolooki - drums.

For more information, please visit http://www.newfoundglory.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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