Four Year Strong – Go Down In History

Four Year Strong hit their commercial peak upon the release of their high flying, over the top take on pop-punk in their major label debut, Decaydance/Motown Records.  Not only did the album cover satirically take aim at intra-genre excess, but the crunching, metal inspired riffs paraded along at the pop-punk equivalent to a Dragonforce album.  Splicing in elements of fierce metalcore alongside undeniably catchy melodies, the widespread appeal wasn’t hard to understand, even if punk purists collectively turned up their noses and branded them a farce.  Regardless of which side if the divide you stood on, it’s hard to deny that the band didn’t have a lasting impact on what would later occupy the various stages of the Vans Warped Tour (for better or worse).  

But since, the band has struggled to maintain the same level of influence and or hold their audience as close.  That being said, Four Year Strong continues to do what they love even since their departure with Motown (and brief into hiatus) ready to embrace their next chapter with the creative freedom afforded from their new home on the comparative step back to the underground with Pure Noise Records.  While one might expect the band to take full advantage of their new home by taking some risks in a less restrictive environment, the resulting EP, Go Down In History, feels more like a band hanging on to safety than embracing an exciting new chapter.  

That’s not to say that the band doesn’t love what they’re doing, in fact, one of he opening lines states, “it’s time to set the record straight, then hopefully you won’t just fade out, doing what we need to survive.”  The track trumpets perseverance and personality above capitulation, but doesn’t do more than employ many of the same chugging riffs and quick chords that the band is known for.  It’s no worse than any of their previous work, but certainly less memorable than previous highs and singles.  With no shortage of gang vocals or guitar heavy choruses, “Living Proof Of A Stubborn Youth” plays to the band’s most anthemic notes, but here in lies the EP’s (and band’s) biggest flaw.  The band is seemingly on a mission of personal one-upmanship, but has reached a ceiling and lacks direction with how to proceed.  Every song always seems to come back to the chugging riffs of opener “What’s In The Box,” which stunts any sense of album growth, even when the band flaunts their technical edge in “tread Lightly.”  It’s a challenge reminiscent of Pennywise struggling to break free of their formulaic 90’s SoCal punk sound after reaching their creative peak with Land Of The Free?, but in a significantly different context.

Overall, Four Year Strong emerges from its hiatus as a tight unit remaining content to plug away at the status quo.  While the four-piece doesn’t necessarily need to radically alter their formula, the EP does little to excite all but the most hardcore fans of their return.  Accordingly, this new chapter lacks an essential spark or truly standout moments despite sound technical knowhow and execution.  At best Go Down In History will evoke a respectful nod from fans, but will inevitably become overshadowed by their superior back catalogue.