Out went Value Pac, enter the pop-punk melodies of Hangnail from Wisconsin. With refined, mature vocals and obvious musical talent, they cruise through their self-titled debut full-length - an album that exudes spit-polished production value. More emphasis on the pop, but all the basic elements of punk rock are present: power chords, masked metal riffs, and speedy breakdowns. Only one thing missing: attitude.
That is not to say that this is not a solid album, because it is very much a quality recording, and the mix is perfect...a little too perfect, if you know what I mean. However, for those that have been yearning for the golden days of Christian punk, when lyrics were simple and praise oriented, this album should be quite a treat. Not only do you get some inspirational messages (a decent mixture of pablum, rhetoric, and genuine introspection), you receive them in a shiny, Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo package. Not a bad deal.
While jaded music reviewers like myself might find a lot of the spit shine punk and lyrical simplicity to be hard to swallow, I cannot help but appreciate the effort put into this album, and I am sure that it will encourage and minister to a lot of kids. If you go into this one looking for punk rock, you will be disappointed, but if you go in expecting some very high quality pop-rock with power chords, done by some kids with impressive talent and worshipful hearts, you should be very happy with Hangnail.
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #81Reviewed by David M. PoggeWhile their name may suggest nerve-wracking anguish and irritation, Hangnail deliver quite the opposite with their soothing blend of quality pop pleasure for your well tuned listening ears. As is becoming the trend for the Brandon Ebel / Tooth & Nail empire, this album is melodic punk rock through and through. Luckily, for all of us who are growing weary of the recent excess of this genre,…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by ConradThis is pretty much an MxPx based pop-punk album. If you put a little more Slick Shoes guitar in there with vocals that don't really stand out a whole lot this is what you would have. The main aspect that I thought was good about this band was the guitarist - he was great. Unfortunately the songs didn't utilize his talents enough for my taste. If there were more guitar work many of the songs…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by Tom BastianSomebody has to tell me, what is the deciding factor between if a band gets put on BEC or Tooth and Nail Records? Why even have the two separate labels, this band could have easily been on Tooth and Nail with the other 10 new punk rock bands they just signed. I guess maybe it's something I will never really understand. I have noticed that the BEC bands seem to be more spiritual in their lyrical…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by TimGeez, could they be any more normal. My girlfriend hated this so much she made me take it out of the tape player until she got out of the car. There is absolutely nothing special about this cd. At the same time, it was so bland that I can't remember anything to criticize. It just wasn't interesting. CThe Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Josh SpencerHangnail is one of those punk bands that sound best as a single track on a compilation. They're yet another variety of the MxPx guy vocal/pop punk style that's so popular with the youngsters. Lots of "Whoa-oh-oh" choruses combined with tight, very competent rhythms. Their trick in the bag is their lead guitarist, but they only let him out on a couple of tracks--"Friendly Advice," with its '80s…ReAL Magazine 1999Reviewed by Kevin D. HendricksHangnail is a four piece punk band from southern Wisconsin. They're a young band and from what I can tell, completely unheard of. But BEC Records usually knows what they're doing, and I think they discovered a talented bunch with Hangnail. Their self titled debut CD isn't exactly Grammy material. It probably won't turn too many heads. But you have to respect it for what it is. High school punk…Similar sounding releases
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