Album Review

The Dangerous Summer – Golden Record

• 6th Aug 2013

After Reach For The Sun and War Paint, The Dangerous Summer didn’t have a whole lot to prove. These are guys who are well capable of writing great songs and great albums. The only struggle may be to keep up the quality. And, with everything that has been surrounding the band in recent times, it looked troubling and at a time that a third album may not be an option.

However, we are now looking at Golden Record, TDS’ latest offering and it shines as bright as anything that is golden. The album opens with the blistering ‘Catholic Girls’, a track so big it bursts. Bassist and lead vocalist AJ Perdomo leads the charge in his lyrics, bellowing about past loves and losses as he “will carry on”.

New drummer Ben Cato wastes no time in making himself noticed – his percussion on the fore front more than you’ll find with most bands. A welcome change, he is the backbone of the track ‘Drowning’, a haunting song conveying everything that TDS do so well.

‘We Will Wait In The Fog’ is a stand out from the rest of the album through how it plays out with a key arrangement not seen anywhere else. But the album itself is stand out, as each track has something the others don’t. Jimmy Eat World influences are seen on ‘Miles Apart’, as Matt Kennedy and Cody Payne bring their respective guitar-work together.

Bookend track ‘Anchor’ brings Golden Record to a close with gangs vocals and biting guitars, courtesy of Payne and Kennedy. Again, Perdomo’s lyrics play a big part as they have from start to finish, the icing on the cake that is Golden Record. This is truly evident on ‘I’m So Pathetic’, a song where ever relatable lyrics ring high and loud on what may be the best song on the album.

The Dangerous Summer are no strangers to controversy, but more importantly, they’re no strangers to great music. Their trilogy of releases on Hopeless Records are the evidence of this, as each album with its own quality. Perdomo has said Golden Record is their “statement, and the impression [they] want to make on the world”. The statement they have made is grandiose, one full of heart and soul.

Download: I’m So Pathetic, Anchor, Catholic Girls

Venue: Golden Record
Support Band: Hopeless Records