Nonstarter - Seasoned Stuntman EP
Nonstarter are more than just competent at what they do
Texas punk band Nonstarter may be relatively new, but their debut EP, Seasoned Stuntman, sounds like anything but a rookie band looking to find their footing. In fact, Seasoned Stuntman sounds like the title states; seasoned, built from the same kind of melodic, up-tempo punk we fell in love with by bands like A Wilhelm Scream, Strike Anywhere and early Thrice.
Through this 6-song release, Nonstarter light the fire from the onset. In tracks like "Redirect" and "The Dish", they blaze hard with razor-sharp guitar work, machine-gun percussions, and vocal harmonies that fluctuate between choral "whoa whoa's" and angry, biting verses. Their technical ability is top-notch too; evoking those early Thrice comparisons with their frenetic guitar/drum work in songs like "A Reflection of Human Frailty" and "You Believe". The latter also features some interesting melding between melodic hardcore and reggae-esque moments; a combination you wouldn't think works, but does.
The majority of the themes on Seasoned Stuntman finds reflection in overcoming life obstacles and getting up of the floor. They are universal themes that make much of what Nonstarter sing about relatable, and the EP itself, easy to connect with which is essential when making first impressions. There is much to like here, and Nonstarter are more than just competent at what they do. Perhaps with an improvement in production values, they will really be able to find themselves in stratospheric surroundings because there's something here really worth paying attention to.
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