Burning Fiction/Jet Market/Part Time Killer – Split

Pee Records has made quite a name for itself for a minor independent label based out of Australia.  Mostly known for bands featuring an authentic blend of hardcore and punk, the label also houses some notable melodic talent – but these group’s are often overshadowed; or at least until now.  In a move that will undoubtedly promote their growing identity, the label has released a three way split featuring the melodic skate-punk styling of long time resident Burning Fiction, and newcomers Jet Market and PartTime Killer.  The result is a twelve track disc serving up enough melodic fury to turn the heads of anyone who thought they knew what Pee Records was about.

Burning Fiction kicks things into high gear early on, flashing their metal-guided chords with furious fingers that would make Strung Out proud.  Ever since first reviewing their breakout disc, Do Not Touch, the band’s combination of technicality, speed, and backing harmonies made them quick to stand out as my personal favourite on the label’s growing roster.  These four tracks make good on their promise, measuring up to their already high standard.  Highlights include the layers upon layers of gang sections, escalation, and the extra guitar flare of “In All Our Glory.” The fantastically entertaining bridge in “The Grip” even goes as far as to feature a very non-gimmicky electric violin (making for a pleasantly unexpected Zox comparison).

Burning Fiction’s rock solid skate punk makes for a tough act to follow, but Jet Market clearly meets the challenge.  While Burning Fiction centres around technicality, Jet Market lives for speed.  These tracks speed along as quick as they come without flying off their rails.  The band defines itself with a set of deeper – and certainly sloppier – vocals, and a ton of shouty, gang vocals circa Four Year Strong.  “Tonight Tonight” captures the band in their element as they pour their hearts out, speedily dropping lyrics as if racing against the clock.  All four tracks hold up well, despite each track feeling decidedly less distinct than those of Burning Fiction.

And then there’s the black sheep of the family, PartTime Killer.  Whereas Jet Market and Burning Fiction boasted a tough underlying edge, Part Time Killer kicks up their feet and winds the party down with a stress-free vibe.  Sounding as if originating from central Europe (Finland to be exact), the three-piece exists somewhere between the barebones pop punk of Bankrupt and the sloppy slurs ofMillencolin’s accented voices.  Oddly enough, from a lyrical standpoint Part Time Killer stands tallest of the bunch.  They’re not particularly profound, but they’re direct, catchy, and at their heart, insightful.  Take “Thank You” for instance.  Vocalist Alex Aaltola yelps “Thank you for the pain/Thank you for the chains/Thank you for the wasted years I’ll never be the same” as he jokingly embraces the ride while watching the world crumbling around him.  Likewise, the juxtaposed grim lyrics and joyous attitude of “Wake Up” make for a lively affair.

You won’t find much to complain about on this three way split.  While I’m still partial to Burning Fiction, each player pulls their weight just fine, standing apart from the last.  I hope those who might have already dismissed Pee Records as a hardcore label will take note of this three way split and at least give it a listen – they might just be surprised.