J. Wang (Dan Padilla/Tiltwheel), Davey Quinn (Tiltwheel), and Chris Prescott (Pinback/Tanner) make a supreme return with their Come Closer project. Their new LP We Died In Print follows their 2021 debut Pretty Garbage. While that one grew on me slowly but steadily, We Died In Print makes an immediate impression, it’s that good!
Come Closer have firm roots in punk rock, although indie rock and altpop may be a better description of their sound. Superchunk, The Replacements, Jets To Brazil, the Promise Ring, Samiam and more recently Ryan Allen all come to mind while listening to We Died In Print. Pop hooks and jangly guitars are a major part of Come Closer’s appeal. J. Wang has a formidable gift for melody, and his songs evoke the most relaxed manner of rockin’ out. I also love how Wang includes nods to classic tracks on his Come Closer records. This time, he deconstructs the intro of Bastards of Young to kick-off the standout Harsh Meadows.
All in all, I am impressed with We Died In Print after my first couple of spins. It sounds like this could have ended up in my top 50 favorite albums of the year (scheduled for this Wednesday) if it was released just a little bit sooner. Anyhow, this definitely goes on the wantlist and, like the debut, will surely make the collection.
We Died In Print is out now on LP at Fast Crowd Records.
Add to wantlist: Bandcamp