If you remember the ‘90s as a better time when pop punk bands like Green Day and blink-182 ruled the Billboard charts, then consider immersing yourself in a world of nostalgia with Almost People’s Demo #2. But be warned: its shrill, headache-inducing vocals will have the band’s own audience calling the cops.
Durham’s Almost People describes its newest release as “snot nosed, beer soaked melodic pop-punk.” The EP — three tracks spanning eight and a half minutes — maintains a likeness to mid-’70s English punk rock bands like Buzzcocks and Generation X underneath messy, karaoke-style vocals characteristic of ‘90s vocalists like Billie Joe Armstrong.
“I’ll Mace You Good Boy!” showcases the band’s “orgcore” style with up-tempo, power chord-fueled guitar riffs and exciting drum runs that convey the energy of ‘90s mainstream punk-rock bands like Bowling for Soup. Unfortunately, Almost People desperately needs a vocal makeover, unless its intention is to give its audience a migraine.
The duo perfects the instrumental sound of the third track, “Beer … Now There’s A Temporary Solution!” but again leaves much to be desired from the vocals, which sound like they could have just as easily been recorded at a drunken karaoke night.
Until Almost People rethinks its apathetic vocal wailing, most audiences might put Demo #2 on the back shelf. But once the headache fades away, audiences can enjoy a trip down a ‘90s-themed memory lane.