Off The Record is a five-piece Southern California punk band. "Mulligan," the band's follow-up to their Tooth and Nail release "Remember When," is on New School Records!
Unfortunately, these guys are sadly an underachieving band with some talented musicians. "Mulligan" would appeal to fans of Hangnail and Slick Shoes if these guys could sing, because the band's music is definitely better than the average punk band. In fact, the guitar riffs and solos on almost every song could give some metal bands a run for their money.
However, the lead guitarist cannot make up for the lack of melodic vocal lines. The problem is that the lead vocalist is average at best and the background vocals are horrible. They seem to write a lot of minor key songs to avoid having to sing on key and when the vocals try to be hard or harmonize it just comes off as weak and flat with a combination of bad pitch and tone quality.
Overall, Off The Record has a positive message and a lot of potential, but "Mulligan" falls woefully short; not even Producer Scott Silletta could save this album. If the band works on vocals and songwriting, then there's no reason why they can't compete with any new school punk band out there.
D
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #96Reviewed by Justin DewberryThis sophomore album defines the idea of fine-tuning a sound a band can call theirs. Off the Record continues to infiltrate their ever-evolving sound with peel the paint off the walls guitar and uniquely smart sound bites. The aggressive, fast-paced songs are like a smack in the face with a 2x4, and yet the band is elegantly able to tone it down for a memorable track like "Looking Ahead." Simply…Similar sounding releases
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