On a label with the name Either/Or Records, you’d be mistaken into thinking that the ep to follow would be a rather nice & sparse acoustic indie affair, however you couldn’t be further from the truth. Instead you’ll be treated to some of the most passionate punk rock you’ve heard in a while.

Springfield’s Maker show true signs of promise on their début for Either/Or Records, playing fast punk the way it should be. Pop punk is another genre that over the years has become over saturated with bands relying far too much on having a catchy chorus and an appeal to the general pop crowd, hence why placing this CD in my player was so much of a pleasure, short blasts that both pummel and please the senses.

The first two tracks fly by without even noticing, both clocking in around the 1:30 mark, but it’s when the ep hits it’s two ‘main’ songs that things really take flight. The force that opens I-91 soon drops into sheer melody with the aforementioned riff, whilst closer Stand By Me takes the more relaxed approach, dropping the intense pace for a more thought out hook laden number.

Whilst the PR points at hints of The Movielife, the closest comparison that comes to my mind are the long forgotten Silent Corporation, a band that whilst had minimal output, recorded a handful of the best pop punk songs of the decade. A fine balance between melody and aggression and I’m a sucker for the simple riffs both bands apply, you only have to listen to the riff at 1:08 of I-91 to be pulled under.

The ep is not without it’s faults though, despite some songs breaking the tired mould, other parts fall into typical clichés such as a return of the usual opening track that begins with tinny production before swelling into the full production (for reference points see: Propagandhi – Potemkin City Limits, Transit – Stay Home and After the Fall’s – Fort Orange), and the later songs do tend to stray into the cheese territory every now and then.

I-91

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