Seaway – Hoser

Oakville, Ontario’s Seaway isn’t going to make many lists or take the pop-punk scene by storm, but with their latest full length, Hoser, it’s sure to gain ground with new fans.  Fans of that now decade old standard of early 00’s pop punk to be exact; the type that remain committed to the Story Of The Year, Yellowcard and New Found Glory posse and hang on to fond memories of Bowling For Soup’s brazen brand of juvenile humour. 

Hoser is quick to get in your face without pushing the envelope too far open.  Front man Ryan Locke channels an expected nasally pop punk pitch with enough frayed edges and supportive choral support from guitarist Patrick Carleton and company to steer comparisons somewhere between The Wonder Years and The Story So Far.  Expectedly then, throwing on opener “Expectation” feels more like reacquainting with an old friend rather than wading through that awkward stage of meeting a new one.  It doesn’t take long before the hooks of “What’s Really Good” fall comfortably into your lap and you’re bobbing your head to “Keep Your Stick On The Ice” and tapping your fingers to the quickening tempo of “Too Fast For Love.”  Plenty of shared harmonies, vocal trade offs, and a penchant for instrumental variety translate into some sort of track-by-track musical highlight.

Such a solid instrumental foundation masks the otherwise simplistic lyrics.  Most topics cycle through the usual odes to the girl out of your league, and issues of adolescent self-confidence.  For all its simplicity, “Shy Guy” actually wears its underdog outlook well in the chorus line “I know I’m still the shy guy, and you’re on top of your game, but if I could find a way to reel you in, oh we could be one and the same.”  In other words, the lyrics get the job done without damaging the otherwise rock solid musical score.

Hoser’s pop-punk features hooks, catchy choruses, and a few memorable lines.  Those that take Seaway at face value should leave pleasantly surprised.  Hoser might not have the most original premise behind it, but it’s darn fun.