Title Fight
Floral Green
SideOneDummy Records (2012)
Sounds Like: 90s inspired punk rock with melodic overtones
Rating: 10/10
Kingston, PA’s Title Fight lets the music speak for itself. They’re a band without flash or special effects, simply doing what they love. And I happen to love what they’ve done with Floral Green.
With this record, Jamie Rhoden takes a step back from the microphone a bit, letting Ned Russin take the reins, and nowhere is Russin’s raspy old-school punk voice more appreciated than on the fantastic, straightforward and frantic opener “Numb But I Still Feel It.”
Little melancholy passages tucked within great punk songs are a Title Fight staple, and Floral Green makes great use of this. “Secret Society” (my runner-up for best song on the album) begins with a catchy, rhythmic, bass-ridden sentence, “I’ve made promises that I can’t keep/I fell asleep. I was the one who locked the door/I lost the key.”
But it’s “Head in the Ceiling Fan” that is my favorite on Floral Green, and has actually quickly become one of my all-time favorite songs from the band. Jamie’s sleepy vocals hang over a slow, heavy groove, and the spacey riffs that introduce the song are nothing short of mesmerizingly. There is something really profound about that first minute of this song that is hard to explain but easy to feel.
“Make You Cry” has arguably the best chorus on the album. It’s an easy-going song complemented by a slowed-down, smooth chorus that leaves a definite impression. “Sympathy” has an unyielding tempo and some of the best lyrics on the album (paired with Ned’s great vocals). Not to mention the crowd-favorite, and ultimately pretty relatable, line “I never wanted sympathy/Just wanted to be something.”
A large, important portion of Floral Green is pure punk; but a few melodic songs smooth over any rough edges. “Lefty” is a slow-moving, drowsy, bittersweet track with an irresistible tune. “Like A Ritual’s” melody fades out with a great slow jam and the catchy, easygoing “Frown” and “Calloused” really help round things out.
In my mind, Floral Green really does lack a weak spot. Not only is it an exercise in effortless progression by an incredible band, but it is proof that a band can stay true to form and not let marginal, yet nationwide, success get to their head. In terms of anticipation and undeniable expectations, Floral Green was worth the wait and is an essential record for any punk fan.
-Felipe Garcia
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