Maybe it was some lineup changes, maybe it was getting that concept album out of their system, maybe it was deciding to self-title the record. Whatever it was Boys Night Out have created an incredibly solid record. It rises and falls in a natural progression, the tracking and consistently great songs really make it a beginning to end success for the band. Connors hooks, the group vocals and harmonies, layers and layers of guitar, and songs that you can listen to again and again, and still notice something new give the release from Burlington Ontario rockers a longevity and quality rare to find in the pool of bands BNO usually finds themselves swimming.
The album opens with the infectiously catchy “Get Your Head Straight” and sets the pace for the rest of the disc. Honest lyrics immediately bring you in and make you feel like part of the family. Clever and conversational the song is an anthem, a quick introduction to the sound of Boys Night Out for those unfamiliar. The next two tracks let the band flex their muscles a little more. “Swift and Unforgiving” a track more on the technical side of things with swerving tempo changes held perfectly together by melodies and vocal patterns. “The Push and Pull” seemingly straight-ahead but with the
subtleties of the guitar work it becomes a song with real depth.
“Up With Me” is the best example of the songwriting abilities within the band. Musically intriguing with vocals full of hooks and emotion. One of the stand out songs on the album full of little different parts to enjoy not to mention the fact that I cannot get this song out of my head! Next up “The Heirs of Errors” the roots of Boys Night Out start to show. Fast and direct, palm muting, octave work and riffing all pull together to make this song a wake up in case you weren’t paying attention. With the addition of the heavier vocals and group sing along parts this track is one I have to see the band play live. “Let Me Be Your Swear Word” and “Hey Thanks” again both let the band experiment a little. With more elaborate guitar work and arrangements these songs really stress the inability to categorize Boys Night Out into a particular genre and sets them apart from the bands they occasionally get lumped in with.
For the fans of Trainwreck the bands previous release “Fall For the Drinker” all of the elements that worked so well on that album return here refreshed and capture a staple of the Boys Night Out sound. It also seems that the more familiar song on the album is followed by the real departure of the record, “Apartment 4” is in the ballpark of the BNO sound but has a wonderful collection of pop and even post-hardcore touches thrown in. This song almost feels like its looking forward to the next album, with a chorus
that is goose bump worthy for those who really appreciate the complications of writing a good hook.
“Reason Ain’t Our Long Suit” is a semi-closer a power track to finish of the record really pulling together parts of older and newer Boys Night Out. The line “now were better than ever” pretty much sums up the idea here and my feelings about the band after hearing this record. The album finishes with a perfect closing track, the lyrics tell a story and usher you to the end of
the disc. This is a great encore track midtempo and building to a grand sing along finish, closing the CD in fantastic boys night out style.
8/10 - JKE Dean
