Album Review:

The Soft Pack
The Soft Pack
Release Date: 01/02/2010


The punk purists and cynics among us must have been disappointed with The Soft Pack’s decision to change their name from The Muslims to their current moniker. Maybe it’s a sign of the times when the latest upstarts on the scene back down after a little negative attention; but at least this San Diego four-piece haven’t compromised anything about their intelligent brand of garage rock in so doing. This, The Soft Pack's self-titled second release, defies all ‘sophomore slump’ theorists by delivering 32 minutes of pop punk fun.

Pacey opener and first single, ‘C’mon’, sets the tone for much of the rest of the record. Matt Lamkin’s delivery is charged with urgency but leaves just enough room for the pointed, matter-of-fact observations characteristic of the band’s strongest lyrics; and it’s also clear that The Soft Pack have matured as musicians, apparent here in the impressive lead guitar work of Matty Mcloughlin, showing that this group can offer more than just a catchy power chord structure.

The decision to collaborate with producer Eli Jamney has resulted in The Soft Pack gaining a more complex texture to their sound (see especially: ‘Pull Out’, ‘Down On Loving’ and ‘Move Along’), particularly with the inclusion of organs and acoustic guitars. This is a welcome change for a band that has sometimes been guilty of sinking into garage rock monotony, marked by the overuse of reverb-tinged surf guitar and a ‘driving’ rhythm section. Tellingly, even on this release it is the songs lacking these new sonic subtleties that are the most disappointing. As the album streaks towards ‘Tides of Time’ and ‘Flammable’, you’re left with the sense that The Soft Pack are running out of steam; the former lacks punch, whilst the latter is a virtual carbon copy of ‘Move Along’ – minus the playful organ motifs and wonderfully discordant solo. Thankfully, The Soft Pack redeem themselves with the stoned-beach-holiday dreaminess of penultimate track, ‘Mexico’; built around a lilting Latin bass line, it brings a much needed change of pace before the head-banging resumes with closing track ‘Parasites’.

Although The Soft Pack aren’t offering anything especially innovative here, they are (as the saying goes) ‘doing what they do best’. These songs are anthems for the kids. The Soft Pack have followed a tried and tested formula – but they’ve done so with enough poise, intelligence and charisma to warrant serious attention.

8/10

By José Carbajo