Nashville, Tennessee’s Free Throw has stepped up to the line, took the shot, and made great first impression.
The Pokémon obsessed five piece is usually found on Friday nights performing in living rooms and local venues, but with the bands newest release receiving national acclamation, Free Throw is going out on a full U.S. tour, making their debut LP, Those Days Are Gone, nothing short of a swish.
Blending aggressive pop-punk riffing and twinkly emo melodies, the band’s energy is peaks and valleys. From fast-paced resentment on “Two Beers In” to ambient styling on “Kim Tastie,” Free throw will have you singing along.
The album’s introduction draws from Balance & Composure’s “Void,” a buildup into the fury and smashing drums of the following track, “Two Beers In,” an inebriated anthem for house shows.
Those Days Are Gone’s aggressive start is followed by a slew of melodic post-emo tracks underneath vocalist Cory Castro gruff vocals. While his style is raw and untrained, it gives the record a genuine sound that separates itself from similar artists.
Guitar work is innovative. Guitarists Larry Wexner and Cory Castro have crafted catchy guitar lines and song structure exclusive to the band, giving songs and the lyrics the longevity they deserve.
An area where Free Throw needs improvement however, is lyrical content.
Belonging to a genre that is infused with self-loathing and outward frustration, the album is laced with immaturity. While this record is only a debut, and a great start nonetheless, the lyrics walk a fine line between sad boy emo, and poorly directed post adolescent angst.
Those Days Are Gone will be the foundation for Free Throw, from which they will only continue to get better. This band is doing wonders for Nashville’s music scene, and will be a charter band for a town where the genre’s Free Throw represents are far too overlooked.
The fives dudes that started in a van trying to play shows, drink beer, and make friends may have stumbled upon something great, and now they need to chase it, with two beers preferably.
Overall Rating: 4/5
Recommended Tracks: “Two Beers In” “Tongue Tied” and “Let’s Get Invisible”
