Not Without a Fight is the best possible title for New Found Glorys eighth studio album. Dripping with determination and ferocity on this release, New Found Glory has found the perfect combination of punk rock and maturity and proves that theyve still got it and theyre not going anywhere.
The title track of the album is called Right Where We Left Off. Instead of being a direct pick up from where Coming Home finished, this album is a better integration of the growth, sharpness, and melodic complexity of Coming Home and the NFG brand of pop punk that they made famous with Catalyst and Sticks and Stones. The tracks are drum-heavy and have catchy guitar riffs contrasting Jordan Pundiks prominent clean tenor vocals. The bass on each track throbs like the heartbeat of the band, which could make anyones chest pump with the ampa perfect concoction for moshing.
The gang vocals on tracks like Dont Let Her Pull You Down and Such a Mess contribute to the fighting spirit of the album. This is supported by the intro of Such a Mess which is similar to Four Year Strongs Rise or Die Trying with its heavy bass and clean guitar riffs that creates a really powerful sound. Songs like This Isnt You, 47 and Tangled Up prove that its not about being thick-skinned for NFG; its about saying exactly how they feel, but giving it a kick in the ass. Even though theyre songs about frustration with love, theyre still pissed off and unforgiving as Jordan sings in This Isnt You, Your words break me down like a wrecking ball, Im so sick of it all. Reasons is the perfect tie between past and present New Found Glory with an acoustic intro and heartfelt lyrics that progress into a chorus of pounding riffs.
A lot of bands promise to return to their previous sound and many cant manage to re-conjure up their most perfect moment. New Found Glory promised Alternative Press in the Most Anticipated Albums of 2009 issue that they were going back to their roots for this album and not only have they been successful, but theyve also managed to retain the life lessons theyve learned along the way. Congrats, NFG. You got your fight back.
