Squarecrow – Before The Sun Catches Us

I wasn’t quite sure what angle San Diego punk-rock outfit Squarecrow was gunning for when I gave their latest album, Before The Sun Catches Us, an initial spin.  At first the band seems to be exploring their identity in the alt-rock genre.  The primary vocals intersect somewhere between Jimmy Eat World and the Spill Canvas, for a sound that is equal parts rough as it is clean.  But this seems to be a relatively new development in the band’s progression, as earlier albums, like Oh, Ramona, harness a gutter-bound rawness that has more in common with bands like Against Me! than their distant poppy cousins.

Opener “Six Miles Above Clakamas” opens with a slow crawl of riffs, taking a full minute until they infuse vocalist and guitarist Kevin White.  He reaches the high notes with a quivering falsetto that screams Jimmy Eat World in more ways than one.  It’s a clean and well produced track that is somewhat deceiving on what direction the band will take moving forward.  “Walk It Off” immediately serves to up the tempo, with gruff vocalist and guitarist Todd Allen trading on and off with White for a much dirtier and unkempt feel.  Tracks like “Aesthetic” really capitalize on the duo’s chemistry, with White vocalizing the line “honesty is the truth that hurts,” and Allen following with a weathered response that captures the lyrical target.  Others like “Soap Opera Box” feel like the auditory equivalent to an unravelling thread, racing towards oblivion at a quickening pace.

There is room for a Menzingers comparison here, but it feels like it’s always competing against an equally dominant Alien Ant Farm vibe.  Songs like “Syndicate” and “Grazie Mille” arguably overinvest in these rock elements, stalling the tracks and forfeiting album momentum.  The band is at their best in songs like “Date Me!”, in which both Allen and Kevin layer and trade vocals with energy and tact, producing a synergy every bit as organic as The Lawrence Arms.  More of this, please.

Overall, Before The Sun Catches Us showcases some serious potential, while also serving as a bit of a “transition” album.  While there may be some growing pains peppered across the track listing, and the band’s direction isn’t always entirely obvious, it doesn’t take much effort to enjoy what Squarecrow is offering, nor much of an imagination as to the potential sure to be unlocked.