by Zach Rich
New Jersey folk-punk duo The Front Bottoms continue to prove why they’re at the top of the New Jersey indie scene with a strong fifth studio outing, Standout tracks montgomery forever and leaf pile return the group to their strong suit, developing anthemic, fast-paced punk-laced tracks with irresistibly catchy hooks. new song d smartly incorporates modern indie rock riffs and Brian Sella’s trademark pitchy, nontraditional vocal style with dashes of electronica to create a well-rounded 5 minute piece. love at first sight and make way do an admirable job of creating more acoustic, lo-fi sounds while respecting the elements that define the duo. It’s an encouraging sign of growth to stay true to their roots while continuing to expand their sound into new areas, and the result is their best record in a long time (since Talon Of The Hawk).
Top Tracks:
montgomery forever ***
leaf pile ***
new song d **
camoflauge **