Bayside - Cult
New York punk rockers Bayside are back with their sixth studio album Cult.
Big Cheese acts as the album's opener and it is a great place to start. Pounding drums and a catchy but heavy guitar riff make you sit up and pay attention from the get go. The track is instantly likeable, and is the perfect starting point.
Frontman Anthony Raneri's vocals are instantly recognisable; clean and slick. His vocal styling is the perfect pairing the band's guitar driven songs, which are full of catchy hooks and melodies.
Pigsty is bound to become a fan favourite; the one that will get everyone dancing at a live show. It is catchy with a dark edge, for me, this is the song where Raneri's voice really stands out, it also features a fantastic instrumental break. This one song is a showground for Bayside's talent.
Bayside are brimming with confidence on Cult; as well as it being well performed, it has been incredibly well produced, from listening you can tell that a lot of time and effort has been put into this album. That time and effort has paid off, for example, lead single Time Has Come is insanely catchy and will become lodged in your head for days on end.
Bayside are into their 14th year of existence, they sound like an incredibly cohesive and talented unit. The band have been on the receiving end of a lot flack in the past, but the sounds on Cult prove that to be unwarranted. Cult is a great album, and Bayside are a talented band with the ability to write songs which a both simple and powerful.