Warning, punk love songs ahead! Personally, I have a hard time meshing straight-up punk with lyrics worthy of love ballads. The two styles just don't logically mix. But for Philmore it seems to work. This three-man band from Iowa blends solid instrumentation with clear vocal harmonies. In the true flavor of punk music, only one song on the CD exceeds four minutes in length, and only one of those songs deviates from a quick tempo--and it doesn't stay slow for long.
Although the constant driving tempo and love lyrics can be annoying to some, Philmore's self-titled debut album has a lot of redeeming features. For one thing, it really is more complex than the first listen reveals. The instruments mesh together very well, and the lyrics are not watered down. While the subject matter of songs like 'In My Boat' and 'Dragnet' are uncomplicated, many of the songs reflect the band's decision to glorify God with their music. While many Christian love songs are accused of being ambiguous about whether the song is directed at God or a girl, Philmore often adds a twist at the end of their songs which directs the attention towards God. This serious twist changes perspective and adds depth to their sound.
Philmore has a wide variety of influences including Kiss, Weezer, Stryper, and even Beethoven. They have a great live show, which reflects the integrity and energy of their music. They also enjoy doing covers of other bands during their shows. Their cover of Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer' is on the album.
There are a lot of new Christian punk bands out there. While Philmore doesn't deviate far from the mold, they provide a very honest sound. Many of the songs beg to be listened to over and over again. From a simple look at waiting for the mate that God will provide in 'Fishy' to a celebration of marriage in 'Worth the Wait' to their hit single about spiritual warfare, 'Our Finest Hour,' Philmore entertains while addressing relevant issues.
Other coverage for this album
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