Record Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Genre: Punk
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com link

The Flatliners are a Toronto-based punk quartet who play fast, fierce, and catchy songs with exactly the right type of energy. This is the type of stuff I loved when I used to listen to punk music years ago. It has the right hooks, fast drums, ensemble shouting choruses, and just the right amount of dynamics. The band even throw in a bit of reggae for good measure. I don’t know what else Fat Wreck has been putting out lately (the last time I listened to bands on their label, NOFX was still playing ska), but if the Flatliners are akin to what they are releasing, it’s good to know that catchy and energetic punk music is still coming.

As nice as the band’s sound is, I came out of listening to the album thinking that they could do better. A few of the songs have some great hooks, while others rely on melodic shouting choruses that really don’t build to anything substantial. The second half of the album especially starts to wane, and the band begins to sound a bit stale. That’s not to say that it’s not worth a listen though. I almost feel that these guys an opus in them that they’re just waiting to unleash. And with some luck, these guys could be as big as Rancid.

Bottom Line: Strong, catchy punk from a promising band that I know can do even better.
Notable Tracks: Eulogy, The Respirator
Overall Rating: