The Makeout Party

Review by: Jennifer Perkins

Well I don't usually review demos, but The Make Out Party were such nice guys I made an exception. 5 songs here wetting our appetites for an EP that is slated to be recorded in February. Pop punk fans start saving your pennies now, your gonna want this record. Hell, I'm not even a pop punk fan and I want the record.

It came as no surprise to me reading the bio for The Make Out Party that their chief song writer was heavily influenced by early East Bay punk, it shows. Crimpshine, Fifteen, Samiam are all referenced. What sets The Make Out Party apart from the rest of the Jawbreaker worshipers is not only was their a poster of Billie Joe on their walls their was one of Van Halen or maybe even Metallica too. The songs are as catchy as anything The Mr. T Experience could have ever written, but the heavy metal tinge gives everything a little tougher feel.

Some of the songs dabble in the art of Emo. "When I'm Through With You" for example is a slower more crooning number full of lament. Not to say The Make Out Party can't do a mean ballad. Don't let the power chords and tough guy drum work fool you these guys could break into the R&B market with the last song on the CD "The Guns of August". The track is minimal with soulful vocals and a drum machine. Although, I like the rest of the CD this one which seems out of place is my favorite. If for no other reason than it shows that The Make Out Party are not only talented and diverse, but that they are also confident enough in themselves to put a 'slow jam' on a pop punk record.