Man Overboard - Dahlia EP

[Blake Solomon]

Man Overboard – Dahlia EP
Record Label: Run For Cover Records
Release Date: November 3, 2009

Man Overboard’s tagline “Defend Pop Punk” is valiant, but perhaps a bit misleading. It incorrectly references a holding pattern for the New Jersey band. On Dahlia, songs like “Montrose” and “5 Girls Pizza” transcend the confines of the claustrophobic genre. It’s a record where dainty “Ah Ah Ah’s” smack right into chugging guitars – not what you’d expect from a band so entrenched in keeping a specific methodology alive.

Especially compared to the rougher patches of Hung Up On Nothing, Dahlia rings with a newfound melodicism from the group. This EP marries the catchiness of a slower song like “Disconnect” and the noise of “Dreaming.” The two releases almost work in timeline fashion. Listeners can follow Man Overboard in real time as they find fresher ways to tackle the same problem. “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To,” for example, rings true as a self-aware “ballad.” It contains an admirable amount of finesse, a quality that makes its boy-finds-self storyline much more relatable: “And I discovered something I should never ignore / I now know what I’m here for.” What didn’t work then works wonderfully now.

And you know, call this whole thing hyperbole because, yeah, Dahlia contains three pop punk songs. But what I’m saying is, shame on me for not realizing the potential of this band and its crusade. Being associated with the young talent of Run For Cover means Man Overboard will be pushed further and further into exciting creative places. With any luck they’ll realize that they have done all they can for pop punk, and the term won’t matter anymore. I’ll fight the urge to rebrand Man Overboard, because my tiny advertising brain is woefully inadequate. However, the time is fast approaching when Man Overboard will outgrow such a stifling commitment.


Recommended If You Like: All Or Nothing, Bangarang!, Race The Sun, elation


www.myspace.com/manoverboardnj

[gr33ndayfr3ak]

This band needs to release more songs because I honestly cannot get enough of them. I'm excited for this band, and I think they have major potential.

Great, concise review.

[f00te]

i have been looking forward to this

[popdisaster00]

Good review

[JEFFkummer]

This band needs to release more songs because I honestly cannot get enough of them. I'm excited for this band, and I think they have major potential.

Great, concise review.
they certainly have the material to do so.. a lot of cool songs that no one has heard yet.

[Yellowcard2006]

Good review, I really like everything I've heard so far from this band.

[Chemical Love]

Nice review. I will be picking this up.

[Metal Now]

I really need to get into this band.

[failedXromance]

i really love this new EP. I can no wait to hear the new songs on the transit split! mmmmm, so so good.

[brobertvunter]

We played with these guys in Toledo, OH and they were swell. Yood yob yuys

[Alex DiVincenzo]

Band is so good

[ThisIsNotDan]

"Montrose" is so catchy. the lyrics are so childish I'm not sure if they're amazing or terrible.

[xManOverboardx]

thanks for the kinds word.

we have a BUNCH of new songs coming out in a handful of new releases that will see the light of day within the next 6 months.... starting with the Transit split in December and another really cool/special 10 song thing in January/feb. stay tuned!

[Ava1anche]

Love the first EP, love the second EP.

[Soupy]

Couldn't be backed harder.

[Griff]

Another one of my most anticipated, along with that guy's band ^

[Colin1755]

i love man overboard.

[thisisntworking]

You can buy Dahlia at http://manoverboard.bandcamp.com, or on iTunes for 2.99.

[xManOverboardx]

thanks guys you rule...come out to a show and hang!
-zac

[iwasahero]

get into it

[TheMike_orcycle]

Playing with Man Overboard and Such Gold in January. Sooo stoked for it. Such good bands!

[John Collins]

playing with them, half hearted hero, such gold, borderland this sunday, so ghassed!

[brandnew741]

This band is wicked awesome. I need to get my hands on this EP.

[jay_klinkhammer]

Transit, Man Overboard, Such Gold...ALL NEED TO COME TO MINNESOTA

[altemose09]

so underrated

[inthemidst]

Great review Blake. I've heard of these guys, but have never checked them out. Sounds like a winner to me! Thanks!

[queenofcrouton]

Transit, Man Overboard, Such Gold...ALL NEED TO COME TO MINNESOTA
and California

[HometownHero]

Never heard this before. But holy fuck that sounds awesome

[duffe]

love this band

[cubine]

Remember back when pop punk bands didn't have really feminine sounding singers?

Yeah, can we go back to that?

[failedXromance]

Remember back when pop punk bands didn't have really feminine sounding singers?

Yeah, can we go back to that?
im nit really sure when that was...i know lots of people that think milo from the descendants was fairly feminine...well, for punk any ways

[cubine]

I don't know I guess it seems like all these new bands like All Time Low, We the Kings, etc. have super clean higher pitched vocalists, almost an airy style. Whereas even going back to stuff along the lines of New Found Glory and Blink182 it's a more "masculine" style and there's some of that old punk rock edge on the vocals.

Maybe feminine/masculine aren't the right words to use?

[John Collins]

playing with these dudes, sunday

/ghassed

[more heart]

So much love for these dudes. Can't wait for their split with Transit hehe.

[xManOverboardx]

I don't know I guess it seems like all these new bands like All Time Low, We the Kings, etc. have super clean higher pitched vocalists, almost an airy style. Whereas even going back to stuff along the lines of New Found Glory and Blink182 it's a more "masculine" style and there's some of that old punk rock edge on the vocals.

Maybe feminine/masculine aren't the right words to use?


the problem lies in people thinking that We The Kings are a pop punk band... we the kings are shit.

[xManOverboardx]

oh and anyone who wants to buy this... www.defendpoppunk.com, www.manoverboard.bandcamp.com and iTunes for $2.99.

if you cant spare $3 or dont have a debit card/paypal then search "man overboard dahlia zip" in google and steal that shit. rather you have it then not.

[pblest]

thanks for the kinds word.

we have a BUNCH of new songs coming out in a handful of new releases that will see the light of day within the next 6 months.... starting with the Transit split in December and another really cool/special 10 song thing in January/feb. stay tuned!

saw you dudes in that delaware basement with handguns. your set ruuuuuuuuuuuled. can't wait to hear the transit split.

[Thomas Nassiff]

nice. cant wait to hear that ten song thing he was just talking about

[Shooter McGavin]

oh and anyone who wants to buy this... www.defendpoppunk.com, www.manoverboard.bandcamp.com and iTunes for $2.99.

if you cant spare $3 or dont have a debit card/paypal then search "man overboard dahlia zip" in google and steal that shit. rather you have it then not.
Just for that, I will give you my $3.

[y100dude]

did someone really just try and say new found glory has 'masculine' singing? hahahahahahaha

[cubine]

did someone really just try and say new found glory has 'masculine' singing? hahahahahahaha

haha not quite like I said feminine/masculine probably weren't the right terms, its just even their vocalist had some more edge on his voice than a lot of other current pop punk bands. he's also not the greatest example haha


just to put this out there I do like the Man Overboard stuff :P

[AliciaLyn]

I agree on the "childish" lyrics in some of the songs, but none-the-less I can't stop listening to Dahlia and Hung Up On Nothing. Potential

[mysensesfailed3]

oh and anyone who wants to buy this... www.defendpoppunk.com (http://www.defendpoppunk.com), www.manoverboard.bandcamp.com (http://www.manoverboard.bandcamp.com) and iTunes for $2.99.

if you cant spare $3 or dont have a debit card/paypal then search "man overboard dahlia zip" in google and steal that shit. rather you have it then not.
i saw you guys at that shitty little spot in the villas (NJ represent). you made shit go off. hopefully you guys will be back soon

[truthbetoldxx]

i love you guys, im pre-ordering the split asap, for your songs. i can't stop listening to this EP

[the_unbirth]

oh and anyone who wants to buy this... www.defendpoppunk.com (http://www.defendpoppunk.com), www.manoverboard.bandcamp.com (http://www.manoverboard.bandcamp.com) and iTunes for $2.99.

if you cant spare $3 or dont have a debit card/paypal then search "man overboard dahlia zip" in google and steal that shit. rather you have it then not.

I havent really given Man Overboard a listen and this has convinced me, 3 dollars coming your way.

[ThisIsNotDan]

fuck it, I'm in love with this EP. band rules. I can't wait for the Transit split and full length

[DanPiazza]

someone sign these guys!