Stickup Kid

Nothing About Me [7-inch] (2012)

RENALDO69

Stickup Kid is a bit rawer and edgier than most pop-punk bands these days as it tends to focus more on the punk aspect than the pop. Most bands don't get this balance right at all. Nothing About Me had me eager to vibe it as I loved "Breathing" when I heard it on a Pure Noise sampler last December along with Transit, Man Overboard, Create Avoid and Troubled Coast. I really found it too short but pretty sweet.

"Breathing" is slightly refined here, yet it works perfectly as an in-your-face punch. But again, it's under two minutes, and that really ticked me off. This band is versatile and I love how the conclusion to "Lighthouse" shows it--such a smooth and mellow blend of alternative. It rounded off pretty nicely from the roughs I heard initially.

The average 7" is too much a teaser as it doesn't let you get much into a band, but there's just enough gusto here to whet your appetite. "Dreaming of Kenny Rogers" isn't too bad but I can't see the acclaim that a lot of fans give it as I see it. It isn't terrible but I had to give it a few repeats to deem it chill. "You are Captain Hook" showcases the poppier element this band possesses but it's fun and technically sound. I guess they kind of take it easy and flesh out that don't-give-a-shit attitude here.

"The Weather Outside is Weather" is a reference from Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and I didn't like that film much so thank Jesus this closing track was not as pretentious and piss-poor as it could have been. It wasn't the best closer to the record but it's one that I can live with. The early sounds on the record are pretty sick but it's hard to judge them off this EP. Given that they're gonna be putting out an LP later on this year, I'll reserve judgement for then. Overall, this record lacked that highly solid execution I expected when I first heard "Breathing," but it's definitely decent enough to warrant a couple listens. I can't wait for a full-length. There's immense potential here.