Tony Pascarella
02/20/06, 09:44 AM
The Prize Fight - The Process EP
Release Date: March 7, 2006
Record Label: TDR Records
The Prize Fight’s debut EP, Words Don’t Mean Anything came out in 2003 on ECA Records, and helped the band’s unique “pop-punk with horns” dynamic catch on both in the US as well as overseas on the strength of just five songs. In the time since then, the band has dropped the horns and acquired a much more emo sound reminiscent of The Early November, and they have signed with TDR Records, which has previously worked with Punchline (now with Fueled By Ramen) and Over It (now with Virgin Records). TDR has released their second EP, titled The Process and is betting on big things from The Prize Fight.
The band’s six-song EP this time around has a distinct emo styling to it, which is both a benefit and at times a hinderance. There aren’t enough times where the band really can break out of the cookie-cutter shell that they seem to be yearning to progress from. I mentioned the similarity to The Early November, and it is especially true on the vocals; speed up TEN a little bit, add some more instrumental aggression and a little bit more pop to the hooks, and you have The Prize Fight’s The Process EP. The biggest problem that I have with this EP is that several of the songs go on for too long and fail to keep the listeners captivated throughout. That’s not to say they all do this, but the first two songs (“This Apartment” and “Lesson #6, Learning to Let Go”) drag on for nearly a minute too long each, and it brings down the quality of the music in this reviewer’s humble opinion. “Now or Never” is simply put, great. Sure, it’s not transcendental, but it’s about as pop-punk as The Prize Fight gets, and you’ll find the chorus and the majority of the verses ingrained in your mind hours after you turn the CD off. “The Red Light District” has a summer sound to it with upbeat vocals, easy-flowing riffs, and a style similar to that of Jimmy Eat World. While it clocks in at over 6 minutes, it’s definitely one of the strongest songs on the EP.
Don’t expect the same sound that The Prize Fight put out back in ’03, because you may be disappointed. Instead, you should check out this EP for the solid vocals, sometimes thrashing instrumentals, and raw emotion. It’s not going to blow you away, but this EP is above the curve for sure. If you enjoy the emo genre, then The Prize Fight is probably right up your alley.
The Prize Fight is recommended if you like The Early November, Jimmy Eat World, Cartel, or Days Away.
Buy The Prize Fight's The Process EP on iTunes (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=PjIvm57kicI&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos. apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStor e.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%25 3D122671756%2526id%253D122671535%25 26s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30 )
Links: Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/theprizefight) | Purevolume (http://www.purevolume.com/theprizefight) | Official Site (http://www.theprizefight.com) | AbsolutExclusive (http://www.absolutepunk.net/artists/showlink.php?do=showdetails&l=2202)
Release Date: March 7, 2006
Record Label: TDR Records
The Prize Fight’s debut EP, Words Don’t Mean Anything came out in 2003 on ECA Records, and helped the band’s unique “pop-punk with horns” dynamic catch on both in the US as well as overseas on the strength of just five songs. In the time since then, the band has dropped the horns and acquired a much more emo sound reminiscent of The Early November, and they have signed with TDR Records, which has previously worked with Punchline (now with Fueled By Ramen) and Over It (now with Virgin Records). TDR has released their second EP, titled The Process and is betting on big things from The Prize Fight.
The band’s six-song EP this time around has a distinct emo styling to it, which is both a benefit and at times a hinderance. There aren’t enough times where the band really can break out of the cookie-cutter shell that they seem to be yearning to progress from. I mentioned the similarity to The Early November, and it is especially true on the vocals; speed up TEN a little bit, add some more instrumental aggression and a little bit more pop to the hooks, and you have The Prize Fight’s The Process EP. The biggest problem that I have with this EP is that several of the songs go on for too long and fail to keep the listeners captivated throughout. That’s not to say they all do this, but the first two songs (“This Apartment” and “Lesson #6, Learning to Let Go”) drag on for nearly a minute too long each, and it brings down the quality of the music in this reviewer’s humble opinion. “Now or Never” is simply put, great. Sure, it’s not transcendental, but it’s about as pop-punk as The Prize Fight gets, and you’ll find the chorus and the majority of the verses ingrained in your mind hours after you turn the CD off. “The Red Light District” has a summer sound to it with upbeat vocals, easy-flowing riffs, and a style similar to that of Jimmy Eat World. While it clocks in at over 6 minutes, it’s definitely one of the strongest songs on the EP.
Don’t expect the same sound that The Prize Fight put out back in ’03, because you may be disappointed. Instead, you should check out this EP for the solid vocals, sometimes thrashing instrumentals, and raw emotion. It’s not going to blow you away, but this EP is above the curve for sure. If you enjoy the emo genre, then The Prize Fight is probably right up your alley.
The Prize Fight is recommended if you like The Early November, Jimmy Eat World, Cartel, or Days Away.
Buy The Prize Fight's The Process EP on iTunes (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=PjIvm57kicI&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos. apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStor e.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%25 3D122671756%2526id%253D122671535%25 26s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30 )
Links: Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/theprizefight) | Purevolume (http://www.purevolume.com/theprizefight) | Official Site (http://www.theprizefight.com) | AbsolutExclusive (http://www.absolutepunk.net/artists/showlink.php?do=showdetails&l=2202)