Timeshares – Already Dead

After enjoying early career highlights as the underdogs on Kiss Of Death Records, New York gruff punk act Timeshares has made the jump to the ever-reputable SideOneDummy Records.  Bursting out on the ever-crucial sophomore full length, the Downstate four-piece aims to take their game to the next level of stick-in-your-head punk-rock.  This time around, Already Dead further develops Timeshares’ identity by infusing a faint country-tinge that could easily see them opening for Lucero or Arliss Nancy.  The direction compliments Timeshares’ already deep-seated appeal and sees them entering that next stage of artist development.

Right from the get go, fans will point to how Timeshares have evolved a really “full” and layered depth of character that surpases their former hooks without ignoring their roots.  Opener “State Line To State Line” still bears the comfortable but rough-edged markings of an Elway meets Bangers hybrid, but with a newfound push taking hold every time a verse erupts into searing chorus flames.  “Tail Light” pulls out all the stops with full band bolstered vocals made all the more impactful by a boastful drum battering serving as the exclamation mark at the end of each note.  Before long, the band ups the guitar twang and injects a hint of country lovin’ in their voice.  “The Bad Parts” and “Heavy Hangs” makes out Timeshares as clearly indebted to Lucero’s more subtle altrock strut in a smug, confident kind of way.  But the attitude is not entirely pervasive, with Timeshares tactfully returning to varying degrees of frayed, riff heavy pop-punk in songs like “Spend The Night” and “The New Incisions.”  Combined with a synergetic relationship between each vocalist, the band covers plenty of ground in a concise ten tracks.

Timeshares’ simplistic yet authentic approach should mean Already Dead receives easy acclaim from the punk rock community.  It’s a simple album that avoids blending into the backdrop by not shying away from a tuneful hook.  While not necessarily pushing boundaries, the band’s latest form certainly strike up a great new balance; and unlike more artsy labelmates like Restorations, Timeshares offer up an instant appeal that should make fans of listeners after even a few short tracks.