Album Review: Goddamnit – I’ll Never Be Okay, I’ll Never Be the Same

I’ll Never Be Okay, I’ll Never Be The Same is the second full length release from Philadelphia’s Goddamnit, although it must be said that it’s hard to think of this as a sophomore album as Goddamnit are made up of a quartet of veterans of the Philadelphia scene, including former members of One Year Lost, Super Hi Five, Reject, Williams Eve, Buglite and The Vote. I’ll Never Be Okay, I’ll Never Be The Same is being released today via the fiercely independent Pennsylvanian record label, Jump Start Records.

Opening track Fix Dis gives you an idea of what lies ahead, this is a heartfelt blue collar take on post hardcore, the delivery varies from downbeat tracks such as Letterbox, to the more strident tones of the lead single from the album, Steady Diet Of Sugar, through to the almost punky tones of Blue Jeans. This is an album that manages to avoid settling into it’s comfort zone, it contains all the elements that will doubtless appeal to established fans of post hardcore, but the more aggressive delivery provides a cross genre appeal that will surely bring others into their fold. There’s even a final twist with the mellow acoustic closer, The Message, that provides a fitting end to I’ll Never Be Okay, I’ll Never Be The Same, and shows another side to Goddamnit.

Goddamnit have delivered an album that contains all the hallmarks of post hardcore, but it’s delivered in a more down to earth style that for me gives it a different appeal, and separates it from the majority of bands ploughing the post hardcore furrow. To me I’ll Never Be Okay, I’ll Never Be The Same has more of a street punk attitude to it’s delivery, although this is a much more subtle affair despite containing some of the same hallmarks. Goddamnit have delivered an album that brings something different to the overcrowded post hardcore scene, and I’ll always be happy to see something new introduced to what has started to become a formulaic and predictable genre.

I’ll Never Be Okay, I’ll Never Be The Same can be streamed and purchased here