A New Found Glory – Sticks and Stones
Girl hatred is back in full bloom with the arrival of A New Found Glory’s latest LP Sticks and Stones. The fun loving punk band dropped their latest album early last summer. The band came together in 1997 through several other bands from their region of Florida, including the well established hard-core outfit Shai Hulud. A New Found Glory is composed of vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarist Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka, and drummer Cyrus Bolooki. These guys view music as everything in their lives. They released an independent EP entitled “It’s all About the Girls” in 1998. The EP was followed up by continuous touring across the East Coast. In 1999, Drive-Thru Records got a hold of their second indie release called “Nothing Can Stay Gold”, which is a compilation of movie soundtrack songs with a punk rock twist. Drive-Thru re-released the album on their label in late 1999. New Found Glory released two more albums in 2000 under the Drive-Thru name, an EP, From the Screen to Your Stereo, and a self titled LP. The band ended 2000 with a high profile tour with pop punk icons Blink-182 and a spot on the Warped Tour. However, in 2001 the band made the complete jump to the majors when they signed to MCA Records. At the end of 2001 the band entered the Studio to work on their newest project Sticks and Stones. The band set forth the goal of writing songs that were about other issues besides girls. They somewhat achieved their goal. The five piece pop punk group feels as if their new album is more rockin’ then their previous releases. Every song on their self titled release was about a relationship gone wrong or how evil girls are. However, this new album finds this band in a more philosophical mood (for a punk band). They deal with such issues as heartache, loss of a loved one, enjoying life, and growing up. The band believes that their music and lyrics are fun loving and easy to relate to. For this release, the band coordinated with Neal Avron (Everclear and The Wallflowers) who has been present for their previous releases. The band feels as if Sticks and Stones displays a more mature version of New Found Glory, musically and lyrically. The music is quite catchy with its melodic pop punk hooks and genuine lyrical content. The album is a must in any collection. The quirky five piece will definitely leave a smile upon your face with just a few listens. The band has released “My Friends Over You” and “Head on Collision” to popular radio and MTV and Much Music.
-AW
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