Artist: Fireworks
Album: Gospel
Genre: Pop punk
Label: Triple Crown

Something that never ceases to amaze me as I watch bands grow and scenes evolve is how people handle change. Rarely, and I mean only in the most unusual of occasions, does a band move from the sound of their previous release without becoming the victims of fan and internet backlash. It is as if people expect artist’s to become frozen in time and mental state from the first moment the pen touches the paper to the grave and it is one of the most frustrating aspects of the industry and fan engagement. Even if it is for the best, progression is assuredly met with tests and if that’s the case, Michigan’s Fireworks have a battle ahead of them in 2011.

Fans of pop punk have been spoiled the last 2.5 years. For the first time in nearly a decade, the scene has swelled with a wealth of young talent that’s grabbed both fans and media attention. Thanks to rigorous touring, coupled with DIY ethics and grassroots based marketing/networking bands like The Wonder Years, A Loss For Words, Man Overboard, and of course Fireworks have brought this near dormant genre to life with releases that will undoubtedly serve as the Tell All Your Friends or Enema Of The State of a whole new generation of music fans. However, now that the first wave of big releases have cemented a base for “scene,” the real test of staying power begins. Just as dozens of post-hardcore bands fell off following their scene’s explosion of 2000-2003, pop punk will soon begin to see a thinning of the herd.

Gospel, Fireworks Sophomore effort, is an undeniably more mature and evolved record than All I Have To Offer Is My Own Confusion. Unlike others who have chosen to continue the sound and feel of their previous material, Gospel carries much greater variety in both sound and feel. While fans will immediately want to embrace the more sonically familiar material (“Summer,” “Arrows,” “We’re Still Pioneers”), it is the songs that showcase the band’s potential that make the record memorable. From the dance floor ready beat of “Oh, Why Can’t We Start Old And Get Young,” to the beautiful simplicity of “I Am The Challenger,” Fireworks prove again and again they have plenty more to offer than what we have seen to date.

Don’t get me wrong, like any band, Fireworks definitely suffer from growing pains. That said, Gospel stands as the strongest and attempt at growth and progression that we’ve seen from this still young pop punk scene. Approach with an open mind and you just may just find yourself pleasantly surprised.

Score: 7.5/10

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James Shotwell

James Shotwell is the founder of Under The Gun Review. He loves writing about music and movies almost as much as he loves his two fat cats. He's also the co-founder of Antique Records and the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. You should probably follow him on Twitter.

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