My Favourite Runner Up - Crossroads
Following their acclaimed first EP Thoughts Feelings, Actions My Favourite Runner Up are set to grace the world with a belated valentine's day present in the form of their debut album Crossroads. An album which, for once, is very well summed up by its title. An album which musically and lyrically sounds like a band that are at a crossroads, waiting to go whichever musical direction the wind takes them. An album which after a few listens could easily become one of your favourites.
Explosive Light A Fire sparks an energy fuelled opening to the album literally from the word Go. It's a bold start, but why not? Evans himself singing "got nothing to lose but my pride" which seems to sum up the band's entire attitude towards Crossroads. An album which really feels like they have thrown everything they've got into this album, and luckily for them it seems to have paid off. We all know a good opener wouldn't be complete without a good fist pumping-chant section, and Light A Fire doesn't disappoint.
Recently released single Poison is carried by Tom Carr's commendable drum work which gives the track its irresistible beat, one which when played live will be guaranteed to get even the most subdued crowd on their feet and moving. The lyrics aren't half bad either, and what would a punk rock album be without a song about drinking too much alcohol and falling over. Though My Favourite Runner Up put things much more poetically than the usual pop punk band, which is what gives them their much more original sound.
Final track Home brings Crossroads to a powerful close, with raw and honest lyrics making this not just a generic punk rock album but one with a real personal touch.
Crossroads is an album full of quality, with carefully constructed songs, thoughtful lyrics and musical talent, which for a debut is pretty impressive. A refreshing change from the nasally American sound which dominates the punk rock genre, My Favourite Runner Up are definitely a band to watch out for.