The Brokedowns – Sick of Sound

If you’re into gruff weathered pop-punk and you haven’t checked out Elgin, Illinois four-piece The Brokedowns, then I’d have to question your allegiance.  A staple on the Red Scare Industries label roster for approaching a decade, the band’s commitment to hook heavy, down to earth anthems has earned them a deserving reputation.  Since their inception, the band has steadily refined their sound into the present and increasingly approachable incarnation found on their latest full length, Sick of Sound.

Landing somewhere between The Lawrence Arms and The Holy Mess, the band’s tactics for sloppy meets catchy tunage continues to define the bulk of their output.  The pendulum swings naturally between the forceful hitting heft of quick and dirty tracks like “Cave Trash Dumpster Embassy” and the peppy skip-in-your-step inspiring melody propelling those like “The Fort” and “Pardon the Light” onward.  Drumming plays a big part in establishing the band’s seemingly bottomless well of energy, even during the otherwise singable choruses of “Trauma Czars,” which supplements these vehement beats with commanding and discordant riffs. “Sick of Space” furthers such an attitude with the thick rumble of the underlying bass groove between choruses.  The Brokedowns are a well oiled machine, as the various tempos, witty humour, and catchy choruses of late album tracks like “Kings of the Dust,” “Led Zeppelin III,” and “Ancient Memes” keep Sick of Sound fresh yet familiar.

The Brokedowns continue to commit to their gruff brand of pop-punk while further distancing themselves from the centre of the pack with each passing release.  Sick of Sound feels entirely the product of a band that is confident in their craft, and isn’t shy to shift between tempos in the process.  While you won’t find anything revolutionary here, fans of rough edged pop-punk can safely add Sick of Sound to their collection with confidence.  Any resistance will be subject to suspicion.