Posted on UnderTheGunReview.net on Friday, August 23rd 2011.
For New Jersey’s Man Overboard, last year’s Real Talk gained plenty of attention and praise. After all it proved to be a consicse collection of straight-up pop-punk songs. One year on, and the now five-piece (guitarist Wayne Wildrick re-joined the band earlier this year,) have the difficult task of producing a worthy follow-up.
Admittedly on first listen, Man Overboard doesn’t quite live up to expectations yet if you give it time, then it’s clear that they have once again delivered a strong record.
From the start it’s clear that the band aren’t changing a winning formula as “Rare” opens the album at a frantic pace with vocalist Nik Bruzzese and Zac Eiesenstein complimenting each other well, before launching into a upbeat and bold chorus that sets the tone for the rest of album.
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(Source: underthegunreview.net)
Posted on AlterThePress.com in July 2011.
Tonight’s show sees Man Overboard taking a break from their UK tour with Polar Bear Club for a intimate headline show in Derby. Although a slightly smaller show, the organizers (Derby DIY Collective) pulled together an impressionable line-up. First up were local band, Directions with their Balance & Composure-esque sound which at times seemed drawn out, yet contained enough substance and energy to win over the crowd. With sensible mix of post-hardcore and hardcore punk, Directions seem to be taking the right approach that is more than likely to get themselves noticed in the coming months.
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(Source: alterthepress.com)
Posted on AlterThePress.com in February 2011.
With ‘The Absolute Worst’ its a case of stick with what you know, which may sound like a bad thing but its simply not, as Man Overboard deliver another exceptional pop-punk release.
Whilst it maybe a way of introducing the band on their new home, Rise Records however the four-piece manage to produce same feel-good numbers that last year’s ‘Real Talk’ full-length consistently provided. The title track leaves you hooked instantly with the standard lyrical pop-punk style of standing tall and ditching the girl; “Girls like you are the absolute worst, I really tried like you but you messed it up first”. It’s a quick and effective 2 and half minutes of near pop-punk perfection. Overall it keeps up the momentum the band already had and at the same time leaves excited for what the band has planned next.
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(Source: alterthepress.com)
Posted on AlterThePress.com in July 2010.
After the superb review of their new album, ‘Real Talk’. Alter The Press! caught up with Man Overboard’s drummer Justin Collier to discuss the new album, BandCamp, their new label (Lost Tape Collective), mixtapes and when can we expect to see the band back in the UK.
Alter The Press: ‘Real Talk’ is your first full-length. What can fans expect from the album? How has Man Overboard progressed and developed with ‘Real Talk’?
Justin Collier: It is definitely a progression from our previous material but not in a crazy style-changing way. Those songs were just songs written 2 years ago and these ones are new and fresh. I think anyone who liked us previously will enjoy it. We worked super hard on it. We recorded it with the same guy who has done almost all of our other stuff, Jesse Cannon (Saves The Day, Lifetime, The Cure) who helped us craft it to be the album we have always hoped to make. Not to mention there are guns and hearts on the cover for pessimists and optimists alike.
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Posted on AlterThePress.com in June 2010.
For some, Man Overboard’s new full-length is a long time coming after the New Jersey band have built a pretty good reputation through various EP releases and tours with the likes of The Wonder Years, Transit and Balance & Composure just to name a few.
With ‘Real Talk’ they make a big mark on the pop-punk scene with brilliant song craftmanship and overall superb understanding for the genre. From the opening of ‘Real Talk’, you are instantly hooked with the bands driving, melodic style that you can’t help but enjoy it.
Whilst for the most part their tour companions head down a more speedy style of the genre, Man Overboard go for a more appreciative and approachable stlye, as ‘World Favourite’ shows; a well structured number with a hearfelt lyrics with the chorus line being “I think you’re my favourite girl I’ve ever met”. It quickly becomes apparent they certainly know how to write hooks, that draw you in straight away.
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