With an opening track being an instrumental version of the Billy Joel song ‘Just the Way You Are’ where each line seems to be testing a different Casio keyboard preset, I had no idea what to expect from WATERHEADS. After that, however, we have 8 ripping songs in 7 minutes of throwback 80’s style US hardcore-punk, not unlike ADRENALIN O.D. Fast, spastic, juvenile, and incredibly infections. This is my kinda hardcore. Throw in the occasional erratic guitar solo or synth plink-plunk and WATERHEADS end up being pretty damn memorable. The only downside comes toward the end, where the last few songs feel like the vocals were still in the rough draft stage when the song was recorded, as if someone tried to improvise lyrics on the spot having never heard the song.  It ends up sounding a bit like a hyperactive person ate too much sugar and ran around in circles yelling, vocal inflections raising and falling quickly as if they’re imitating a police siren. While there are moments that they don’t seem to be able to find their flow, WATERHEADS surge ahead uncompromisingly leaving you drenched in their unfiltered energy.

Label: Painters Tapes

Band: WATERHEADS