Comeback Kid - ‘TROUBLE’ review
Comeback Kid by Aaron Schwartz
Comeback Kid have just wrapped up an awesome run of European and Latin American dates, still going just as hard as they did 20 years ago. That said, their new EP title TROUBLE sounds like the type of release a fresh-faced bunch of hardcore kids might come to the table with. Personal experience with the band shows they currently have zero misses, and their newest EP continues that trend, suggesting they might have stumbled upon the fountain of youth. The seasoned veterans dropped TROUBLE on March 15th, and here's our take on it:
Opening the EP is semi-titular track ‘Trouble in the Winners Circle’ dropped before the new year, complete with a music video that might be our favourite production value of 2023. One thing that has never been in question is Comeback Kid's ability to make a groove work. ‘Trouble in the Winner Circle’ is an absolute stay of form in that field. The mix has instruments sounding especially distinct, whilst also combining everything perfectly. Chase Brenneman personally feels like the lynchpin of the track, chugging beneath everything on bass, while Ross & Hiebert on guitars warble in and out. This feels like an excellent entry on the side of Comeback Kid that has people singing along, as it's insanely catchy.
Next track 'Disruption' is aptly named. This takes things in the opposite direction, a live setting of this track feels like it would be a minefield. That said, it houses all the same positive characteristics as the opener. Obvious sections of the track lend themselves to hordes of fans singing along. Brenneman is again excellently in the pocket, as well as some frenetic drumming from Loren Legare.
'Chompin At The Bit' feels like a continuation of some very deliberate song titling. Sitting neatly in that 3-minute margin of chaos, this is again just a total shot of energy. Gang vocals on this track add a lot to pad out the atmosphere of what is already a very varied and breathless track. Rounding out the troupe is Andrew Neufield, who sounds like someone who has been fronting a band with their entire soul for 15+ years. His voice sounds at times both shot, and perfect, and for that reason, you can't help but fall in line and sing with them. The line-by-line "Just. In. Time" lyric into the chorus has this all-star quality to it, if you didn't already know that Comeback Kid is a big deal in the scene, this track does everything to paint them as one as the guitar rings out at the end.
Final track 'Breaking and Bruised' is conspicuous by its lack of barrelling intro at the start of the song. It's a lot more measured, for about 30 seconds. The way Legare's drumming drops in with what is a simple but very energetic beat immediately starts putting a bow on TROUBLE. Again the wavy trilling of the guitar builds an atmosphere around the band, they're insanely comfortable making an anthem. Again, the use of gang vocals paints a picture of a band who have never been better.
One of the main endorsements of TROUBLE was that it "is a testament to Comeback Kid's unwavering commitment to pushing forward on their own terms”. On that basis, it feels like they may have missed a trick not naming the EP after 'Breaking and Bruised'. This feels like Comeback Kid at some of their most relentless.
Pre-release material for TROUBLE states "Comeback Kid has stood as a cornerstone in shaping and pioneering the sound of modern punk and hardcore". I may do that statement one better, the sound that Comeback Kid makes, they've mastered. After a few brushes with Comeback Kid and always seeing them at a consistent level of form, I expected more of the same. TROUBLE left me surprised. Comeback Kid are explicitly not slowing down, and the scene owes them so much for that.
TROUBLE from Comeback Kid is out now via SharpTone Records and available on all good streaming platforms.
