REVIEW: Bad News Bears – Battle Scars

July 17th, 2013

Matthew Leimkuehler

Artist: Bad News Bears
Album: Battle Scars
Genre: Emo rock
Record Label: Faded Youth Records

Mixed feelings of appreciation and surprise come when spinning debut LP Battle Scars from solo emo-rocker Bad News Bears. More times than not BNB impresses and dazzles, showing a magnificent amount of musicianship and songwriting craft throughout the record. Battle Scars is a pleasant example of the diversity and ingenuity this striving artist has to offer.

A certain tone of melancholy is established early in the record with the opening number, “Hold.” An overall fun song, “Hold” does a solid job of grabbing the listener’s attention but does not truly give the rest of the record justice. The record truly flourishes as tracks such as “Under the Carpet” and “New Again” are played, showing the depth and diversity of Bad News Bears.

“Under the Carpet” proves to be interesting and comes across as the most memorable track. Having a well-placed synth lead (used as a brilliant addition) alongside uncharacteristically aggressive melodies makes this track come across completely different than the others in the selection, yet still highly addictive. Another interesting element of this record includes the pair of songs, “Run Part I” and “Run Part II.” The latter being the more definitive than the greater, “Run Part II” is a bitterly personal confession, with the line, “I was lost until I came running to you,” sending chills down the spine.

Bad News Bears has made an overall solid installment into his career with the release of Battle Scars. It will be interesting to see where having such a solid debut full-length effort will lead this singer/songwriter in the months to come.

Stream “Bloodsucker” via AbsolutePunk now.

Rating: 8/10
Review by Matthew Leimkuehler