Long Overdue Breakthrough From Guff
Guff are pop-punk act hailing from Athens, USA, who formed in the late nineties and certainly show it. Carving out a sound that propels the listener back to a time when 'Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)' and 'All The Small Things' were firmly rooted in the top 40, Guff are a little a blast from the past for anyone that remembers the days when slickly produced pop-punk ruled the airwaves.
Combining many of the elements that define pop-punk – for example the liberal application of infectious yet accessible melodies and polished vocal harmonies – the band's latest album, 'Symphony Of Voices', isn't a mere imitation of the mainstream nineties pop-punk sound. Offering a welcome deviation from the norm by distancing themselves from the sweetly sung motifs of girls, beer and skateboarding, the band delves into slightly darker lyrical content with an aggressively passionate delivery that gives them an edge over their peers, past and present.
Beginning the record with the ambitiously titled 'Saving The World', Guff set out their stall for a very direct, driven and energetic album. Dispensing with the niceties of a mood-garnering ambient intro, an aggressive riff reminiscent of your average Pennywise number blares from the speakers before being overcome by a powerful chugging bassline and a crashing drum beat. Moments later the listener is thrust into a gripping chorus, complete with soaring lead and rousing backing vocals that quickly becomes the blueprint for a successful album.
'Symphony Of Voices' is not all swings and roundabouts mind you. The aforementioned vocal aggression occasionally mixes with the pounding rhythm to hint at a slight metal flavour, noticeably manifesting itself on 'Behind Your Smile' and 'No Gods, No Masters'. Other tracks see the band exercise their heartfelt side – the acoustic only number 'Just Like It's Supposed To Be' being the prime example – and their poppy facade in 'I Can See It In Your Eyes', a track which incidentally features guest vocals by Steve Perry, lead singer from the legendary band Journey.
All in all, 'Symphony Of Voices' is a good album from a band long overdue their break in the music business. Firmly rooted in nineties punk-rock, Guff provide a familiar and accessible sound with a few stylistic deviations thrown in for good measure. Perhaps not an instant classic, this album nevertheless is worth a spin or too; great nostalgia for those who rode the nineties punk wave at the time and a good introduction for those that missed the boat. Check it out.
(Oh, if you're still undecided be sure to check out the liberal seven song sampler on the band's
Punknews profile.