The Better Friends EP is the latest release from WhenTheClockStrikes. The energy brought by the first track (Too Many Cooks) permeates through the entirely of the release. WhenTheClockStrikes is able to blend together the strongest sides of Blink 182, Sum 41 and Yellowcard into a hooky and current sounding version of pop punk. A polished production allows the splashy drums, emotive vocals, and crunchy guitar lines to shine alone while contributing to the greater whole. Better Friends (From A Distance) rapidly reaches top-speed; hints of New Found Glory and MxPx can be discerned in WhenTheClockStrikes’ vocals. The emotive guitar work that punctuates this effort will stick with fans long after the track ceases to play. The bit of gravity given the effort through the heavy narrative content of the vocals makes this into a must-listen for anyone wanting to learn more about WhenTheClockStrikes.
Fair Weather has the nuanced and detailed bass line of early Dead Kennedys or Operation Ivy, while the on-point intensity of the drums makes the effort into a wholly new beast in the mid-point of The Better Friends EP. Redemption allows for WhenTheClockStrikes to create a more fuzzy and swirling sort of sound (adopting hints of Alkaline Trio and mest). This emotive rock gives the band another tool to utilize on follow-up releases. Few artists are able to create such a compelling release in such a short frame, but WhenTheClockStrikes is able to have listeners hanging off of every note by the time that The Better Friends EP concludes.
The Better Friends EP ends with the Lumpy Space Mix of Better Friends (From A Distance). The additional electronic elements added to the original Better Friends destines this effort for heavy radio rotation. Check out the WhenTheClockStrikes Facebook for more information about the band.
Top Tracks: Too Many Cooks, Better Friends (From A Distance)
Rating: 8.8/10
WhenTheClockStrikes – The Better Friends EP / 2016 Self Released / 5 Tracks / https://www.facebook.com/whentheclockstrikes/ / https://soundcloud.com/whentheclockstrikes