By John Bedard
For most people, pop-punk has a very specific time in their life to which it is closely connected. It brings to mind the years right around age 16 and usually the highlights of those years even if most of that time sucked. Back when you would lock your door and play your music too loud and just shut out the world for a while. Or when you are leaning against your locker and that girl you have been too afraid to talk to decides to say hello to you first. It was probably what you listened to two months later when you were getting over her dumping you for the guy with a nicer car. It is the escape from the crap that is your teenage years and later it becomes the highlights that lets you see the good that was there even if it was hidden back then. It reminds you of the lessens you learned to become who you are today. ‘Plus Ultra’ does tick all the boxes bringing to mind all the right feelings but without all the passion. It feels like it has added very little to the overall genre.
The album is very well produced. The mix is well-balanced making every instrument feel very defined without them ever overpowering another. The use of reverb it well done to make the vocals very full and complete. Every member’s talent is complemented by the others never feeling like the spotlight is stolen by just one. I also really appreciate the guest appearances on the album. This is always a treat in music, especially when there is a female singer added to the mix to complement and contrast the male vocals we have become used to. I definitely think this was a good addition.
We know from their previous music that Carousel Kings are very skilled, but they did not show off all they are capable of here. It is like they lost interest. Songs got repetitive and lyrics felt more like they were just trying to fit in what is expected to be sung about but feeling felt absent. More time spent writing and composing would have done this album well. There is a definite lack of complexity that will be noticed.
This album, in spite of having most of the right elements, ended up being somewhat boring. There just is nothing overly special about it to make it stand out. It is no ‘Ocean Avenue’, ‘Enema Of The State’, or ‘Dookie’. There are no songs like ‘Welcome to the Black Parade’ or ‘I Write Sins Not Tragedies’ or even anything like Carousel Kings’ own song ‘Bad Habit’. The album feels generic and I often found myself listening to Carousel Kings’ older albums instead of this one.
‘Plus Ultra’ is not a bad album by any standard but it is not one that you have to have either. It is enjoyable in the background and can nicely fill out a playlist but won’t be missed if left out. The most memorable track was number five, ‘Ghost’. It had some of that passion you get in their older music – but one decent song alone can’t hold up the whole album.
- ‘Plus Ultra’ is released on 31 May. You can get your copy HERE.
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