Neck Deep – ‘Wishful Thinking’ Album Review

Neck Deep – ‘Wishful Thinking’ Album Review 

Tracklist

1. Losing Teeth
2. Crushing Grief (No Remedy)
3. Staircase Wit
4. Damsel in Distress
5. Zoltar Speaks
6. Growing Pains
7. Say What You Want
8. Mileage
9. Sweet Nothing
10. What Did You Expect?
11. Blank Pages
12. Candour

2013 saw pop punk five-piece Neck Deep supporting the likes of Enter Shikari and The Wonder Years, releasing their second EP ‘A History of Bad Decisions,’ visiting the US, headlining a huge Australian tour and, of course, signing to Hopeless Records. Phew! How will 2014 compete with that? Well, Neck Deep already have a jam packed schedule, including a UK tour (that’s set to sell out any second), supporting We Are The In Crowd on their UK tour and then jetting off to the States!

But will the release of their debut album please the hordes of fans that are cramming to get tickets for the hottest new pop punk band? Singles ‘Crushing Grief (No Remedy)’ and ‘Growing Pains’ have already received glowing reviews from fans and critics alike and it’s fair to say that ‘Wishful Thinking’ is far better than anyone could have expected of a band that never intended to have success.

The album kicks in with ‘Losing Teeth,’ an energetic and powerful song that sets the tone for the rest of the album – loud-mouthed, fun and vigorous with a fuck-it attitude. It’s clear that Neck Deep are maturing and experimenting with different styles of guitar rhythms, mixing up their raw and unrefined edge that we saw in their EP’s with new, polished riffs and honed vocals from frontman Ben Barlow. Although the result is more intricate and smooth than fans are used to, it works wonders on songs such as ‘Mileage’ and ‘Staircase Wit’ which are milestones in Neck Deep’s road to musical sophistication (because we know they’re big kids at heart!).

Their revamp of ‘What Did You Expect?’ from their first EP is the only minor hiccup on the album, somehow losing the simplicity and roughness that the original possessed, but it’s promising to see that Neck Deep are testing themselves and exploring new sounds.

Nevertheless, ‘Wishful Thinking’ is full of belters that will secure a huge response from live crowds such as ‘Damsel in Distress’ that has a repetitive and catchy chorus with drums that will make drummer Dani Washington’s ancestors proud. ‘Zoltar Speaks’ is remarkably superb, a phenomenal tune that will definitely be on your playlist if you ever decide to take down the government. Perhaps the most distinctive song is finishing track ‘Candour,’ a giant step away from the loud and boisterous tunes on the rest of the album. It includes the return of Laura Whiteside who featured in the single ‘A Part of Me’ from the boys’ first EP ‘Rain in July,’ and is a tear-jerker that will imbed itself in the hearts of many. The fusing of violins and melodic yet powerful guitar riffs crafts an effectual finale that will help quench any doubts of Neck Deep’s outstanding musicianship.

As a debut album, ‘Wishful Thinking’ is a colossal gem in the crown of UK pop punk and its impact on a live crowd will be tremendous. The question that remains is… how will Neck Deep ever top this?