The word "punk" may be the most poorly understood term in music. Punk is not, or shouldn't be at least, characterized by a certain musical style or even guidelines, but it should be described by the attitude and spirit behind the performers. But, most likely, if you’ve listened to Title Fight’s new album, Hyperview you know this already.
You know that even though TF has switched gears into a different facet of music (one that’s different than their abrasive and emotional -and excellent- past), they are still the same punk musicians. They are still the same, incredible, courageous punk musicians.
This album, most probably, is not what you were expecting out of TF. But, for me at least, it is exactly what you wanted. This album is more more contained, mature, than their previous works.
The first song, the quiet and subliminal, “Murder Your Memory” is evocative and excellent, as the four piece from Kingston, Pennsylvania is able to create a mood as well as anyone. The track is slow, methodical, and beautiful. It’s charming, and subtle, and it still contains some bubbling angst.
The next track, “Chlorine” is more upbeat, but with somber vocals from frontman Jamie Rhoden slowly directing the words, “Found your place/in a model face/Fell into/the violent daze.”
Throughout the tracks there is a strong shoegaze-y element indicated within the backdrop, a pleasant, thoughtful essence that allows the band to create and explore different spatial musical arrangements.
For instance, “Hypernight” is a more direct song, with a strong bassline to march the melody along while “Mrahc” sounds more like classic punk, with Rhoden softly singing the words, “Visible harm
Backwards charm
Stunting growth
Held too close
Saw you choke.”
Still, within these tracks Title Fight plays their emotions very close to the vest in relation to their previous efforts, with little yelling and very few hard power chords. The album has allowed for Title Fight to grow within the space they created, becoming a dynamic and charged band.
In addition, TF has been able to add a few levels of diversity.
“Your pain is mine now” is an extremely slow track as well, while “Rose of Sharon” is upbeat and alternative, allowing for Rhoden’s yells of, “Lately life moves slowly
I stop to smell a rose
Inhale
Press its thorns against my nose” to pierce and lead the song fanatically.
The back five of the album persists along a more upbeat manner, with “Trace me onto you” again being a solid (if a little too similar to the rest of the album) and mid-tempo track and "Dizzy" following a similar path. The album closes out on the strongest note of the endeavor with “New Vision” a loud, ambient song that contains fierce guitars and solid vocals.