REVIEW: New Found Glory – “Resurrection”
Pop-punk kings New Found Glory have gone through a lot in the past couple of years. In the three years since “Radiosurgery”, the band’s last album of completely new material, they’ve experienced a list of issues that would break most bands. Most notably, the band left Epitaph Records for Hopeless Records, and announced the departure of their principal songwriter, guitarist Steve Klein. Needless to say, “Resurrection” is a fitting title for the band’s new album, because in a way, this is New Found Glory coming back to life.
With a fade in of feedback, the album begins with “Selfless”, the first single, which is full of telling lyrics about the past couple of years. From an intensity standpoint, nothing has changed with New Found Glory. This is still charging, fun, pop punk. The title track to the record also hits home for the band, with the resounding chorus of “So long / thanks for nothing / I’m gone, I’m moving on / Watch my resurrection”. While written to be pretty universal, it’s obvious that this is a letter to the band’s previous label and guitarist. While that may be rough, “The Worst Person” pulls no punches. NFG have no problems airing out their dirty laundry at the beginning of this album.
After that ugliness, current single “Ready and Willing” is an anthem in itself. A welcoming spark of optimism, the song features everything that you want in a New Found Glory song. Along with “One More Round”, it’s clear that the band is looking toward the future, whatever that may be for them. The trudging, punk rock love jam “Vicious Love” follows, with a hook that grows on you the more you hear it.
The back half of the record is strong, as well. The energetic “Stories Of A Different Kind” sounds like it will find a place in NFG’s set list, with an energy that brings circle pits to mind. The brightest spot on these last couple tracks is “Stubborn”, featuring Anthony Raneri of Bayside. Not surprisingly, this is also the next single. The album rounds out with “Living Hell” and “On My Own”, a pair of strong tracks in their own rights.
Unlike other New Found Glory records, “Resurrection” doesn’t have a slower track on it. Regardless of if that has anything to do with the absence of Steve Klein’s songwriting, it means NFG is back with nothing to hold them down on this record. In a way, it does feel like a new, rejuvenated band. Things are finally looking up for New Found Glory.
