Reviews
Halifax - A Writer's Reference
by Rich on 20050317
Having been a fan of Halifax since there debut album “Start Back At Start” released on ECA Records a few years ago, I was a little disappointed to not hear much about the band for a few years. The signed a deal with No Milk Records and recorded an EP which was good but still people weren’t really taking much notice of the band. So I was pretty thrilled when Drive Thru Records announced that they had signed they band, finally they would be noticed. A Writer’s Reference is a re-master, re-packaged and slightly extended version of the No Milk Records EP and to be honest sound wise there isn’t too much difference. That doesn’t step the EP being a really solid release that could see them fully realise their potential. Halifax almost perfectly combine pop hooks, complex slightly 80’s influenced buzzing guitars, solid rhythm section and intelligent lyrics that make Halifax seem older and wiser than their years. They also have something that sees them slightly departed from other great pop punk bands, and that is a the very specific sound that all this combined creates. They sound like Halifax rather than a rip off anyone else which is a great thing to see and hear. They have a bitter quality to them as well much like Fall Out Boy in terms of the way their lyrics and melodies almost contradict each other, with sweet melodies and times stinging lyrics about past relationships that works really well. “Broken Glass Syndrome” is certainly one of the finer moments on the EP, sounding like a blast back to the debut with a slightly more Taking Back Sunday sound than the rest of the EP, full of energy before things slow down just a little for “The Next Two Weeks” but not as much as the finally two tracks that are almost ballads. “Scarlet Letter Part II” is a slow, brooding, building song that will have the listener captivated by the band throughout the five minute duration before an acoustic version of the opening track “Sydney” shows how the band can really re work a track to make it work in a different way which is see as a great strength. The song is a little different to the full band version, and doesn’t quite match up but is still a get track and worthy addition to the EP. When Halifax release a full length on Drive Thru expect to see fireworks. Out April 18th on Drive Thru/Sanctuary.Rating out of five: 4