Album review: Come Closer – “We Died With Print”

Fast Crowd Records – 08 Dec 2023

J Wang and Come Closer drop another love letter to the ’90s alt-rock of their youth.

January and February are usually slow months for new releases and touring bands hitting the upper midwest. In a perfect world, that would mean I take a little breather. In the real world, it gives me a chance to dive into the ever growing pile of records that I didn’t give proper attention to last year. 

San Diego based Come Closer started out as a J Wang solo project. You might know Wang from his work with Tiltwheel, Dan Padilla, or a handful of other bands he’s been involved with. He recorded Come Closer’s debut, Pretty Garbage (Pirates Press Records 2021), in the back room of his house and played everything but the drums. 

Musically, We Died With Print picks up where that record left off. It walks the fine line between pop punk, power pop and indie and alt rock. Come Closer separate themselves from a ton of other bands doing this style with the quality of their songs. The poppy grunge choruses of songs like “Broken Glass” and Castle Walls” will stick with you long after the record ends. Side A closer “$2 Tecate and Lime”, adds a breezy, atmospheric organ. 

Side B opener “Blue Eyes” feels like a noisy, half finished sketch. “Harsh Meadows” has a rough and ready Replacements quality. “Not Around” might be the catchiest song on the record. Acoustic guitars are front and center on excellent closer “Talk About It”. We Died With Print is a solid effort front to back. Come Closer will appeal more to Smashing Pumpkins’ fans than old school punks, but as a love letter to ‘90s alt-rock, it’s quite satisfying. 

For vinyl fiends: Don’t hesitate if you want a physical copy of this. Only 200 copies on 180 gram, 45 RPM, heavy black splatter on violet wax. Includes a lyric insert.

Come Closer Bandcamp
Come Closer Spotify