Review: Joyce Manor - Never Hungover Again
[Epitaph; 2014]
Rating: 8/10
By Megan Fair, Copy Chief
Key Tracks: “Schley,” “In The Army Now,” “Heart Tattoo”
Joyce Manor has formed a cult following by using its scathing self-loathing and basement-ready sensibilities to create fiery albums that flash by in a blink. Now signed to a major label, the band's Epitaph debut Never Hungover Again still only takes only 20 minutes to listen to.
Unlike previous releases, Joyce Manor now takes a step back from the full-throttle, gritty speed in order to let a sweeter, sadder side show. The album reads as if The Smiths created a pop punk record. While the album certainly shows some really crisp songwriting, Joyce Manor has definitely kept the charmingly imperfect production. In fact, most of the tracks were recorded live to tape with the whole band playing together.
The music is still very morose, but that sadness is now bundled in catchier, bubblier melodies and upbeat packages. “Heart Tattoo” and “The Jerk” are prime examples of this shift.
Slow burner “Constant Headache” from Joyce's self-titled 2011 release is a crowd favorite, so it only makes sense that the similarly slow-burning “Schley” is a single from the record. Possibly the album’s strongest track springs forth from a perfectly harmonized riff, spot-on lyrics and sing-along ending cementing how a band can make a song that barely passes two minutes in length still manage to become relentlesslly stuck in your head.
Riffier, speedier tracks like “In The Army Now” and “Catalina Fight Song” are staples of Never Hungover Again, seeing as they provide the head banging, crowd-surf inducing sound that fans really love. “In The Army Now” takes a more progressive sound, very much emulating Morrissey-esque vocals and including haunting vocal melodies. “Catalina Fight Song” punches listeners in the face from the moment start with gritty vocals and really big drums, and continues to thrash around for the whole minute of time the song consumes.
While Never Hungover Again is incredibly solid and the band clearly shows the ability to grow and progress as skilled musicians, it dangerously teeters upon the edge of beaing easy to overlook. While fans are definitely not going to dislike it by any means, it may not become their favorite record, at least not right away. Weary cynicism aside, Never Hungover Again with its more delicate treatment and sugary sweet sadness certainly asserts that Joyce Manor is an important and talented band. As poppier sensibilities creep in, they definitely open a door for a wider variety of fans to get into the punk sound that's always been the soul of Joyce Manor.
