Uncle Style Records – 07 Mar 2024
It’s like if Hot Water Music and The Lawrence Arms had a baby, raised it on Face To Face, and then told it make songs in the vein of mid-90s Samiam.
…and don’t for a moment think that any of that above is a bad thing. Because it is definitely not.
ERRTH, based out of Philadelphia but featuring a bi-coastal pedigree courtesy of current and former members of bands like Aspiga, Public Serpents, Seeing Snakes and more deliver their debut, self-titled full-length via Uncle Style Records.
Apparently ERRTH put out a two-song EP back 2023 and, shit, I missed that. But I’m always ready and willing to make up for past mistakes, so let me give you a recommendation: If any of the bands listed above are somewhere in your rotation, then you’re definitely going to like what ERRTH is bringing to the table.
Their debut album is nice and slim. Ten songs, only two of which pass the three minute mark (and not by much, either). It’s a quick jolt to the system and, frankly, there’s not a stinker in the bunch. Seriously, all these songs are a blast to listen to and, while some may be better than others, when the baseline has been set somewhere at eye level, you can really only go up, right?
ERRTH utilize a dual singer format with Kevin Day and Eric Saylor switching off the lead for songs, with the other interjecting back up vocals as needed. Kevin’s got a higher pitched, weasely sound akin to Brendan Kelly or Tom Delonge. Once again, don’t take that as a bad thing. It fits the music. Eric, on the other hand, is a loud growly bear kind of voice, and really brings the gruff punk vibes. Although they do well enough on their own, as a team the quality of their delivery, as well as the cadence, lift these songs into purely anthemic heights.
In a way, this whole album is just one long anthem. The songs may vary in tempo, subject, and style (although almost all certainly “gruff,” if you will), yet you can’t help but feel energized when listening to it. While not the same genre of music, this album hits me in the same way that the 2016 album Dangerfield by Hopeless Otis does. While the theme of the songs may not always be the most joyful, they certainly make you happy in your heart.
I won’t sift through the songs except for, to my ears, the #1 standout track “Halloween Eternal.” There’s an extra helping of awesomeness to this song, primarily in the composition and that excellent guitar that zigs (and continues zigging) when you expect it to zag. Add in the tease of a false ending about two minutes in, and then you get another minute of this awesome song. Well, what’s not to like? Followed up by “True North” where the lyrical flow really stands out. Just… good stuff. A nice one-two punch bonus on an LP where every hit is landing.
When reviewing an album, I always keep an ear open for anything that might have been done better and I’m hard-pressed to find that here. Maybe the second track, “8,760” is too short? It feels like it drops off when it could’ve told a bit more story. Honestly, if that’s my only gripe, then what are you waiting for?
ERRTH is available to preorder as a digital download at the ERRTH Bandcamp page. You can also preorder the LP from there, as well as from the Uncle Style webshop.
the white drew carey (aka – Jeff Sorley) is the founder and head editor of TGEFM. He’s lived (outside of) Chicago, Madison WI, (ugh) Penn State, Lyon FR, Oxford UK, central New Jersey, and now within earshot of SFO in the Bay Area. When not scouring the web for more great bands and labels to post about, he also spends time drawing (mostly) silly sci-fi and anime stuff under the name Asplenia Studios.
