By Claudio Zelaya / Staff Writer
3PM is a fairly young band from Baltimore that is poised to take over with their brand of punk that comes with a hint of nostalgia. The band started when drummer Brandon Millman hooked up with guitarist Scott Montgomery and later found vocalist and bassist Brennan Stark (no relation to Ned Stark) through the magic of social media in 2012. They released their first album “Change of Plans” in early 2013, but were eager to return to the studio to release their follow up album, “Slow Me Down,” in the summer of 2014. Jumping in with producer Paul Leavitt — who has also worked with All Time Low, Senses Fail, and The Dangerous Summer — they were able to concoct an exceptional sophomore album.
My first thought of “Slow Me Down” was that it felt like listening to Blink 182 or Yellowcard when they were first trying to get their names out. In fact, both of these bands are big influences for these musicians. This is something new that feels like something old, but in a good way. There are dozens of bands coming out of the woodwork these days trying to emulate what the older bands accomplished in a new era. There are some that break from the pack of generic rockers and 3PM is one of them.
3PM offers a high-speed sound that showcases these very talented musicians. I challenge anyone to find a spot in this album where it dramatically slows down. Stark displays his groovy bass skills with some of the best handiwork I’ve heard in a while, especially in his “Missed Call” solo. Breakout songs are the title track “Slow Me Down,” “All Caught Up,” “Missed Call,” and “My Soul On Fire.” The title track is ironic since it really doesn’t slow down the pace of the album.
The thing about this CD that made me like it at all was that it felt very relatable. A lot of musicians in our age seem to like writing very vague or esoteric lyrics like they’re Robert Frost. The lyrics in these songs are very common thoughts that we have when faced with a difficult situation. The line, “I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m not alone,” in “My Soul on Fire” is a sentiment everyone should walk around with. No matter what obstacles that the mosh pit we call life hits us with, there will always be people there to guide us through. It’s a concept that’s very important in a time where bullying of all forms is more rampant than usual.
There are other moments in this album that the band acts like motivational coaches. “All Caught Up” is punk man’s YOLO. “We can all die tomorrow so let’s act like it,” says Stark in this great anthem. While there are songs that venture into the realm of counseling, others explore topics that aren’t new to fans of rock— which isn’t a bad thing at all, as 3PM is able to add its own mix to it. Some tunes talk about missing someone dear to you and the pain that comes with it, which could easily come off cheesy, but luckily didn’t.
When comparing this album to the band’s debut, there aren’t too many differences— which should sound wonderful for fans that enjoyed the first album. It should also be a great jumping on point for new fans who have never heard of the Baltimore trio. This album told of the trials these musicians have faced in their lives and the way they embraced and conquered them to continue doing what they’re doing and that is the kind of determination that we need to see from our rock bands now rather than the boring and generic tunes we’ve shoved in our ears.
Final Say: 3/5
-Claudio.Zelaya@fiusm.com
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