Okay, so admittedly, I am a newish fan of the folk punk rockers, The Front Bottoms. I’d asked a friend to recommend some tunes for me, as he knows what I like. And, his first and most enthusiastic recommendation was for The Front Bottoms. And boy, oh boy, he hit the nail right on its little head. Their latest EP, Ann, out May 18, 2018, is an absolute masterpiece of the good truth wrapped in slyly profound lyrics. From front to back, there isn’t a song that lacks a lyric I can relate to.
The Front Bottoms, Ann I don’t know if this was a coincidence or kismet, but the fact that this EP came out during Mental Health Awareness Month was really the perfect gift to fans. Putting words to feelings of depression to anxiety, self doubt masked within existential dread to pure unadulterated joy, this album is self-care in six songs.
Lyrically, this album is some of the most amazingly raw and gut-punchy (not a word, but it is now, you’re welcome) art I have ever ingested. Musically, the beauty is found in the simplicity. If you’re looking for driving drums and rippin’ guitars, you’re not going to find it here. And that’s actually really great; you shouldn’t.
The first track, “Today is Not Real,” had me hooked from the start. Honestly, vocalist Brian Sella makes these complex truths sound so raw and beautiful with his voice. With the lyric, “In a half hour, I’ll be fine. The next 29 minutes are gonna flow like concrete,” Sella brought to me to my knees. Putting feelings into words using imagery like that is powerful, and not everyone can do it well. Sella does it more than well; his delivery is flawless.
Sella’s voice puts me in the mindset of a good friend who has seen some shit. He wants to talk about the shit, but he does it better through images, one who shows and doesn’t tell. He doesn’t want you to feel bad for him, but he wants you to understand him. That is precisely what Sella does during the entire album.
I could go track by track and point out my favorite lines, but you don’t care and I prefer you to experience it yourself. Go and do that. I am telling you, lyrically, this band is pretty much untouchable in terms of content and emotion, being simple and beautiful while also dealing with complexities. It brings to mind another punk favorite, The Menzingers, in that both bands tackle real world relatable content and do it in a way that cuts through the bone and sucks out the marrow of the issue. Personal favorite tracks are “Lonely Eyes” and “Somebody Else.” Again, just go listen. Thank me later.
Track by track, the instrumentals provide an incredibly moving backdrop to the lyrics. While I can imagine the track “I Think Your Nose is Bleeding” being recited as slam poetry on some awesome Buzzfeed-esque video filmed in a small local coffee shop, the album could not stand as strong without the accompaniment of the music. I love a rippin’ metal track as much as the next girl, but that kind of power doesn’t belong in folk punk. And, The Front Bottoms are honestly one of the best folk punk acts on the scene. They understand their audience, they know what feels good to them as a band, and if this album doesn’t make you feel something, we probably couldn’t be friends.
Luckily for all of us, The Front Bottoms are touring this summer supporting Ann, as well as their incredible previous releases. If they are coming to a city near you, go check them out. And if you’re heading to their Pittsburgh show in June at Mr. Smalls, I’ll see you there! In all, this EP is a powerful one, perfect for either sitting outside in the sunshine with a beverage of your choice, playing badminton on the lawn with your friends, or lounging in your room writing shitty poetry. Either way, there is something for everyone to enjoy and come away with in Ann. And, from me, it gets a coveted five-skull rating!
Ann Tracklist
1. Today is Not Real
2. Somebody Else
3. I Think Your Nose is Bleeding
4. Pale Beneath the Tan (Squeeze)
5. Lonely Eyes
6. Tie Dye Dragon
The Front Bottoms Tour Dates
MAY 22 UPSTATE CONCERT HALL CLIFTON PARK, NY
MAY 23 BALTIMORE SOUNDSTAGE BALTIMORE, MD
MAY 25 THE ORANGE PEEL ASHEVILLE, NC
MAY 26 GEORGIA THEATRE ATHENS, GA
MAY 27 106.5 BBQ JACKSONVILLE, FL
MAY 29 HOUSE OF BLUES NEW ORLEANS, LA
MAY 30 SATURN BIRMINGHAM, AL
MAY 31 CANNERY BALLROOM NASHVILLE, TN
JUN 01 BUNBURY MUSIC FEST CINCINNATI, OH
JUN 02 SPRING FLING 2018 CLEVELAND, OH
JUN 04 MR. SMALLS THEATRE MILLVALE, PA
JUN 05 THE CLYDE THEATRE FORT WAYNE, IN
JUN 07 20 MONROE LIVE GRAND RAPIDS, MI
JUN 08 THE DANFORTH TORONTO, CANADA
JUN 09 CORONA THEATRE MONTREAL, CANADA
JUN 10 THE STRAND BALLROOM PROVIDENCE, RI
JUN 23 WESTWORD, MAIN STAGE DENVER, CO
JUN 24 SUNSHINE THEATER ALBUQUERQUE, NM
JUN 26 CAIN’S BALLROOM TULSA, OK
JUN 27 SOKOL AUDITORIUM OMAHA, NE
JUN 29 FIRST AVENUE MINNEAPOLIS, MN
JUN 30 101WKQX PIQNIQ 2018 TINLEY PARK, IL
JUL 01 MAINSTAGE MORGANTOWN, WV
JUL 12 GREAT SOUTH BAY FEST PATCHOGUE, NY
AUG 24 READING & LEEDS FEST READING, UNITED KINGDOM
AUG 25 READING & LEEDS FEST [LEEDS FESTIVAL] LEEDS, UNITED KINGDOM
SEP 29 SEA HEAR NOW FESTIVAL ASBURY PARK, NJ
OCT 02 LIVEATLAGUNITAS PETALUMA, CA
OCT 06 CAL JAM FESTIVAL SAN BERNARDINO, CA
