Polar Bear Club
Clash Battle Guilt Pride
Bridge Nine Records (2011)
Sounds like: Hot Water Music, Against Me!
Score: 9/10
The common consensus with bands today seems to be that their first release is their best material, but I don’t necessarily agree. Several bands have released gems later on in their careers (see: Jawbreaker, Brand New, etc.) and the latest in the line to buck that trend is Polar Bear Club. The punk/rock quintet released their third full-length, Clash Battle Guilt Pride in September…and it’s their strongest release yet.
CBGP is Polar Bear Club’s third full-length behind Sometimes Things Just Disappear and Chasing Hamburg. Though many hail the former as the band’s best material, the latter was seen as a fresh start for them since they signed to Bridge Nine – a hardcore label. Unfortunately and mysteriously though, it seems that Chasing Hamburg did not resonate as much as their first full-length did, despite receiving generally positive reviews.
Clash Battle Guilt Pride avoids this phenomenon by showcasing a different side of the band from the very beginning of the record. The first three tracks are a strong, powerful mix that may be the band’s most hard-hitting songs yet. “Pawner” starts off the record intimately (reminiscent of Chasing Hamburg’s “Drifting Thing”) before moving into the gritty “Killin’ It.” Many other songs on the album follow-suit with strong, climactic build-ups and crashing melodies.
Like previous releases, Polar Bear Club has focused on writing anthems. Songs like “Screams in Caves” are filled with sing-along, gang vocal chants while others such as “Religion on the Radio” are downright catchy. Lyric-wise, Jimmy Stradt continues to write on the subjects that made PBC’s last two records worthwhile: heartbreak, reflection, and solitude. With lyrics such as “the movie in my head is dragging on/Turn it off and we’ll shut in on the songs that play in your heart like screams in caves,” it’s no wonder that this album is PBC’s best so far.
One thing fans can always expect from Polar Bear Club is their superb guitar work. This particular trait is definitely present on this record, especially in songs such as “Bottled Wind” and the album’s epic closer, “3,4 Tango.” PBC’s guitar players Chris Browne and Nate Morris have developed a great chemistry over the years with their beautiful, intricate leads and harmonies. These musicians pay close attention to detail…and it definitely shines through on this record.
Clocking in at just over forty minutes, Clash Battle Guilt Pride is the best Polar Bear Club album yet. The band’s focus on anthemic songwriting and the return of their signature guitar style make this record one of my personal favorites this year, easily.
-Ian Caramanzana
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