A Year Gone By - A Year Gone By

A Year Gone By

A Year Gone By
self-released; 2014

3.4 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Hailing from Barrow-In-Furness, Cumbria A Year Gone By is a five-piece band that formed in 2012 and recently released a self-titled five-song EP A Year Gone By. They have a familiar sound not unlike bands such as A Day To Remember, The Used, and Asking Alexandria. If you are into energy-filled pop punk that tips its hat to some of the pioneers of the genre then you just found you new favorite band. You can’t deny the band has the formula down pat - from the explosive choruses, to the nasally lead vocal and to the overall anthemic tendencies. The production is professional and can compete with any other commercial releases that play in the same genre.

The band bursts out of the gate fast with a high octane number called “Tyne Will Tell.” It starts with two dueling distorted lead guitars that quickly get bombarded by snare rolls, which leads to the whole band rocking out. Power chords drip with distortion and white noise as verse plays. The band plays into their strengths and know when to emphasize certain parts as they strategically place vocal harmonies.

Although far removed from John Lennon they sing about a similar sentiment did in “God.” The vocalist sings, “I don’t believe in any god but I believe in you”. “Bruises” rocks even harder than the first song. The drumming is spot on and is some of the most technically impressive on the EP. 

The band brings down the distortion and intensity a bit for “Forget Me.” They go for a triumphant and nostalgic vibe rather than fast, heavy and slightly pissed. It is arguably the most melodic and commercially viable song on the EP. “Thieves & Liars” is the definition of soft verse/loud chorus. The band creates a soft dreamy canvas during the verse and with little warning does port-rock type chorus with soaring guitars and vocals.

A Year Gone By’s self-titled EP will fit in along nice a snug next to your Paramore and Underoath albums. You should know pretty quickly if this is your cup of tea.

Become A Fan

bandcamp