The Power of Positive Thinking is the second album by UK-based The Phase Problem, a band that made their debut last year. If you, like me, don’t know the band yet, you may be familiar with the people involved. The Phase Problem is Flav Giorgini (Squirtgun), John Bonnar (Haiver, P*ss Bath, ex-Paws), Alex Keane (Roach Squad, ex-Murderburgers, ex-City Mouse) and Fraser Mudderbang (Wrong Life, Murderburgers, Bike Notes). Oh, and there are some special guest stars making the round on The Power of Positive Thinking as well, including Heather Tabor (Teen Idols), Matt Hart (Nevernew, Squirtgun, Bruce Stuckey (Toxic Reasons), and Vess Ruhtenberg (Toxic Reasons, Zero Boys, Lemonheads). Another pop punk record for the wantlist this week, huh?
But even without all this namedropping you need only one spin of this 33 minutes, 33 seconds record to know whether you’ll like it. This is pop punk made by students and fans of the genre who know what came before (Middle Aged Lobotomy!) and what ingredients are needed to cook up a tasty dish. But they are also at the point that they are unafraid to infuse their own personal touch, like an extravagant guitar solo. The Phase Problem are not at all reinventing the genre, but they play with a flair that I find quite rewarding.
The Power of Positive Thinking is out now through Lavasocks Records (US) and Brassneck Records (UK).
Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Lavasock Records