Release Date: August 29, 2011
Male Bonding’s first album, Nothing Hurts, was a solid collection of noisy indie rock jams that was thoroughly enjoyable — yet not exactly groundbreaking. One year and two EPs after the release of Nothing Hurts, the band has dropped their second album, Endless Now, which, for better or worse, is essentially more of the same: a satisfying assortment of upbeat dream-punk that doesn’t really break into new territory.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that Endless Now isn’t worth a listen because it definitely is, especially for those looking for something easy and lighthearted to end the summer with. Although the album lacks a clear evolution from the band’s previous work, the band seems comfortable experimenting with their droning, fuzzy style. That comfort allows the band to really play up their strengths, namely hypnotic guitar riffs, haunting vocal harmonies and catchy hooks.
Noteworthy tracks on Endless Now include album opener “Tame the Sun,” which starts the album off running with a catchy, upbeat song that perfectly sets the mood for songs to follow, and the volatile “Mysteries Complete,” which adds an extra layer of fuzz to the band’s already noisy style. Especially worth mentioning is the album’s fourth track, “Bones,” which easily is the album’s greatest departure from Male Bonding’s earlier recordings and the record’s one real effort at innovation.
While most of the tracks on the album weigh in at an average of two and a half minutes long, “Bones” sticks around for more than six minutes and really shows what the band can do when they give a song the chance to establish a groove.
Other songs rigidly follow a pretty typical punk rock verse-chorus structure, but “Bones” is a little more nuanced. It has a little more breathing room to play with different elements and progressions. It’s a really interesting experiment and a step in the right direction if the band hopes to avoid growing stale.
Although “Bones” is an easy standout, there isn’t really a single misstep over the album’s 11 other tracks; some are clearly better than others, but every song feels like it belongs. Perhaps more importantly, every song is enjoyable and worth listening to. This is an album that’s easy to listen to from start to finish.
In true punk fashion, Endless Now is a rather short and sweet affair. Clocking in at just more than 36 minutes, the record breezes by. Even though it feels fairly brisk, it is a satisfying listen.
Endless Now manages to strike a perfect balance. Any longer and that fuzz would have become an unending drone; any shorter and it would be over too quickly. As it is, Male Bonding’s second full-length does exactly what it needs to: It’s an enjoyable indie punk album, and it cements the band’s style without just being a rehash of Nothing Hurts.
The band probably could’ve used a little more help differentiating it from their other records, but Endless Now is still a fun, catchy album to end your summer with.
Male Bonding – Endless Now Tracklisting:
- “Tame the Sun”
- “Carrying”
- “Seems to Notice Now”
- “Bones”
- “Before It’s Gone”
- “What’s That Scene?”
- “Mysteries Complete”
- “Can’t Dream”
- “The Saddle”
- “Channeling Your Fears”
- “Dig You Out”
- “Reprise”
