You don’t need to Google who put out Enumclaw’s new record. All you have to do is listen. ‘Home in Another Life’ is Run For Cover right down to its fuzz-coated bones, slotting the Washington band into one of punk’s most reliable rosters alongside similarly-minded outfits such as Citizen, Turnover and Fiddlehead. But while their objectives and identity are clear, their second LP can’t always follow through on that promise.
‘Home in Another Life’ isn’t a particuarly immediate record, which isn’t a flaw in and of itself, but while some tracks do get their hooks in eventually, others fail to break the skin. The belching bassline, choppy riffs and nasal-yet-bruised vocals of vocalist Aramis Johnson mean that mid-album highlight Spots immediately connects, while the initially easygoing I’m Scared I’ll End Up Alone is drenched in wide-eyed, existential angst.
In its weaker moments, the album can feel a little washed out. Sink and Haven’t Seen The Family in a While are somewhat drab, straining to reach the all-consuming sound Enumclaw obviously desire, but never realistically threatening to do so.
It’s all the more frustrating because elsewhere they do manage to bridge the gap. Change ignites with no time to spare thanks to its big, bright riffs, while there is similar alchemy on the beautifully-titled Fall Came Too Soon And Now I Wanna Throw Up even if it’s fleeting.
This Light Of Mine is stronger still, breaking away from the middle-of-the-road pace of the record for something more graceful before exploding into life in its back half. There are moments of magic sprinkled throughout ‘Home in Another Life’, but they’re often hidden from view.
Enumclaw Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Sat October 26 2024 - LONDON Lower Third - Outernet
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