Stickup Kid

The Sincerest Form Of Flattery

Written by: TL on 19/04/2012 15:22:17

Why hello there - do you like pop-punk? Do you like it all fast as hell and raw the way bands like Lifetime and Daggermouth have played it? Then let me tell you, you need to become a fan of California quartet Stickup Kid, and listen to their album "The Sincerest Form Of Flattery", right this instance. It is really that simple, for as the album title suggests, these guys play blazing fast, fuzzy, frenetic pop-punk only very shortly removed from the type you might have heard from Lifetime or Daggermouth and that of course, is pretty awesome. Stickup Kid's own twist on the style makes it even better however, as they display perfect understanding for when to disrupt the tempo and break into short, poppy, anthemic breaks, often squeezing in catchy lyrics for extra effect.

Furthermore, racing through this album, punk-rock aficionados are also likely to notice that Daggermouth and Lifetime aren't the only bands Stickup Kid have listened to and gotten inspired by. A track like "Louisville" for instance, employs guitar harmonies that keep reminding me of Piebald, and while the vocals at many occasions bring old Millencolin to mind, album highlight "You're Killing Me Smalls" - a track that just flows and shifts perfectly by the way - has singing and melodies that almost hint a little of Anthony Raneri and Bayside. Those are just a few of the references I've managed to pick up as the album has raced past me, back and forth, over and over, at reckless speed, and I'm sure more seasoned punk-rock fans than I can find an even deeper treasure trove of details to appreciate.

However, even for those who aren't deeply engorged in the scene already, "The Sincerest Form Of Flattery" should prove a damn good listen, qua its simultaneous display of boundless energy and a dynamic tightness I haven't often heard in punk-rock. That and the fact that the contrast, between parts that are fast as fuck and parts that are slightly more poppy or emo or anthemic, is worked to perfection. This severely undermines any complaints one might have, about the lacking diversity across the album, or about the resistance against repeating refrains often enough to make individual songs recognisable via conventional methods. The ride through the album is simply too exhilarating, and to put it as directly as I can, I'd much rather just complain that "The Sincerest Form Of Flattery" - at a mere 25 minutes of length - is over much too soon!

8

Download: You're Killing Me Smalls, The Oceanwalker, Louisville, See! Even Billy Idol Gets It!
For The Fans Of: Lifetime, Daggermouth, Caleb Lionheart, Set Your Goals, faster Millencolin songs
Listen: facebook.com/stickupkidca

Release Date 19.04.2011
Panic Records

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