The Penske File – Burn Into The Earth

Right from the opening line of the The Penske File’s debut full length, Burn Into The Earth, something feels remarkably familiar.  In fact, the chord progression and general tempo of the first ten seconds sounds as if pulled from the equivalent time stamp of Blacklist Royals’ fan favourite, “American Hearts” (play them side by side, it’s near harmonious).  The structural similarities dissipate soon thereafter as the Burlington, Ontario pop-punk act launches into a sinfully catchy explosion of gang-lead, sing-along choruses, but the sense of can’t-quite-place-the-likeness quickly becomes a recurring theme.

The Penske File’s talents span a wide range of styles within the typical pop-punk genre.  A close listen to “Bedroom Angels” reveals a gauntlet of vocal inflections ranging from countrymen Junior Battles’ subdued patches, to skyward reaching, tightly honed wails circa Versus The World and Smile And Burn, and a raspy chorus you’d expect to fall more in line with Street Dogs.  It’s a diverse roster of influences that tends to consolidate somewhere in the vicinity of the Paper + Plastick Records herd of contemporary pop-punk bands like And We Danced, Dwayne, and The Moms.  Primary vocalist Travis Miles presents a versatile range without becoming whiny or risking blending too readily in with a traditionally crowded scene.

Burn Into The Earth’s best moments typically come into play with the sing-along, harmonica strapped choruses of later tracks.  “Dead Letters” makes a strong case as the band collectively belts in anthemic fashion, “I’ve been writing dead letters, and I’ve been writing burnt out fires through the night.”  “Old Dogs” rises to the occasion with an energetic chorus line that should make for some invigorating live shows.  Then the band sneaks in the most successful and ambitious track at the tail end of the disc.  “Home” confidently layers on the harmonies in an incrementally swelling presentation that leads Burn Into The Earth to a very natural conclusion.

But between album highlights hide a few lesser tracks like “Party Time Liars” and “Wasters.”  While not offensive by any means, they lack the same firm footing of their neighbours, coming across nasally and unrefined when placed alongside more purposeful fare.  “Party Time Liars” in particular feels more like The Penske File’s annoying little brother – the snotty vocals missing the mark of their catchier and more developed brethren.

Even if a good chunk of the time with Burn Into The Earth will be spent trying to deduce “which artist does this song bring to mind,” The Penske File offers up a encouragingly tight full-length chalk full of chorus-heavy sing-along anthems.  With an underlying talent to grow from, Burn Into The Earth only hints at only the tip of the iceberg of this emerging Canadian punk trio.