High Court, The - Puppet Strings

[Steve Henderson]

The High Court – Puppet Strings
Release Date: July 24, 2007
Record Label: I Surrender Records

I think it’s safe to say that when your band’s name is a thinly veiled nod to the old sticky-icky, then subtlety and finesse are not going to be two of your strongest suits. And whether it be the playful darkness of Puppet Strings’ cover art or The High Court’s (THC) brand of dirty dance-rock, these themes and mentalities permeate and create an alluring shtick for the guys. So, at least they are consistent. But how does their music fare in the process?

From the outset of Puppet Strings, listeners will initially be quick to note passing similarities to Fall Out Boy or Panic! at the Disco. However, these comparos are a little too simplistic, since The High Court is a far more rough-hewn incarnation than either of its uber-polished scene brethren. That is both good and bad, depending on the context and songs in which they deviate. It really works stylistically when THC gives us a little TMI in their lyrical themes (“2 Much Love for 1 Woman”) or when they tackle subjects that TRL sweethearts wouldn’t dare tread upon (“After the Climax”) – a bold commentary on sex and abortion. However, it is just as easy to yearn for a little more sparkle and sheen in their delivery all the same. Frontman “JB” sounds fine enough when he dials his vocals back with a little restraint, as he does on the album’s earlier tracks. But the initialed singer seems quite anxious to bust out of this imaginary shell and subsequently ends up spastically belting out his shrill stories (“Whisper to the Clouds”). The end result is kind of annoying, actually, since the point man sounds like a second-rate Brendon Urie or Gabe Saporta doing a third-rate FOB karaoke performance. Also, noticeable absent is the band’s ability to construct catchy and memorable hooks. Outside of “Payback”, the band shows little aptitude for giving up the pop sugar listeners are craving, and instead, we get cringe-worthy choruses like that of “The Refresher Course.”

This is not to say that all of The High Court’s presentation is lacking, because they still do have some big support structures holding them up. First and foremost, the music on Puppet Strings is at times miles above any of the band’s contemporaries, primarily due to its resounding creativity. The riffs on “2 Much Love for 1 Woman” sound like they could almost be Tom Morello-influenced, while the entire intro to “The Refresher Course” – guitar riffs, bass line, and drums – is simply one of the raddest musical exhibitions you will hear this year. Actually, it bears mentioning that Denny Carvell’s work on the skins is quite constantly noteworthy, as a keen ear will pick out just how much his percussion work anchors the toe-tapping nature of the boys’ tunes. And in addition to the band’s music, it is likewise easy to appreciate the lyrical approaches which are blunt, crass, sexy, and really just interesting in general. The wordplay suffers at times and meanders into more elementary territory, but the overall concepts are still strong (except of course for the out-of-place emo-fest that is “Heaven on the Horizon”).

Overall, I am quite torn on my feelings for The High Court. So much of how I feel about the band is predicated on my mood for their type of music at any time. If I am going out to the bars with some friends, ready for a long night of partying, then hell yeah I can dig blasting Puppet Strings really loud with the windows down. But on my evening commute after a long day or work? Um, no thanks – it just gives me more of a headache. So, in essence, the record is worth checking out for its finer points, but don’t expect it to be your everyday soundtrack.


Panic! at the Disco, Fall Out Boy, Cobra Starship, later Midtown, Envy on the Coast

[Brandon Allin]

Well-written review, Steve.

[Praetor]

Excellent, well-thought-out review. This album is about as generic as it gets.

[VLJimi]

I rarely purchase CDs from bands in the scene, because I think many of them are generic. However, I bought THC a few weeks ago and I think it is a very good CD. The more I listen, the more it has grown on me.
I definitely recommend it.

[msifreak]

Hmmm, I dunno. Well-written review, but can't say I agree completely. I guess it depends on my mood too though, whether I like this album or not.

Actually, I think I just like Alien a lot hahahaha.

[untitled94]

Excellent, well-thought-out review. This album is about as generic as it gets.

to me a generic band is something like driving east or on a more popular level the new cartel..i just don't hear anything generic about these guys. possibly the vocals because they are comparable to that of panic at the disco or fall out boy..but overall i can't see how they'd be considered generic

[Elfie7X]

I usually don't like these kinds of bands but I was strangely attracted to this album.

[Praetor]

to me a generic band is something like driving east or on a more popular level the new cartel..i just don't hear anything generic about these guys. possibly the vocals because they are comparable to that of panic at the disco or fall out boy..but overall i can't see how they'd be considered generic
:shrug: Chalk it up to opinion. I just think that they don't sound at all original, and are far less talented than the bands that they're ripping off.

The last time I listened was a month ago, though, but I can't really see my opinion changing that much.

[MyWorldEntire]

Is anyone gonna review the Search Rescue demos?

[AndrewC12]

I really like this album, one of the best pop-punk albums i've hear in quite a time. Definitely set apart from bands like FOB and P!ATD if just for the song After The Climax and track 4 which was streamed on here which title escapes me now but was about the shooting in the amish community if i remember right.

[Starflyer59]

This album deserves more recognition and publicity. One of the catchiest albums of the year from start to end. Worth checking out if you are a fan of the "pop-punk" or whatever you want to call it genre.

[thatwasamoment]

Their guitar work sets them apart from most bands. Vocals and lyrical content is about as common as it gets.

[tm decomposer]

Is anyone gonna review the Search Rescue demos?

They don't want those reviewed. I have them also.

[Steve Henderson]

Is anyone gonna review the Search Rescue demos?
We don't review demos.

[Steve Henderson]

This album deserves more recognition and publicity. One of the catchiest albums of the year from start to end. Worth checking out if you are a fan of the "pop-punk" or whatever you want to call it genre.
Catchy? Really? I think that is the biggest thing lacking...after I turn this album off, I have no desire to listen to it at all.

[itslikejon]

These are my boys. This record is amazing. Its raw pop punk, there is no auto tune on the vocals like most bands and are so keen on doing, especially in this kind of style of music. And I don't see the panic/fob comparison. Whatevs.

[Steve Henderson]

These are my boys. This record is amazing. Its raw pop punk, there is no auto tune on the vocals like most bands and are so keen on doing, especially in this kind of style of music. And I don't see the panic/fob comparison. Whatevs.
When I played this record in the car for multiple sets of friends, they all said it sounded like Panic. and of course, Panic rips off FOB, so there ya go.

[Steve Henderson]

Well-written review, Steve.

Excellent, well-thought-out review. This album is about as generic as it gets.
Thanks, amigos - appreciate it!

[singlexsorrow]

For some reason they remind me of Envy On The Coast a lot . "She'll Never Know" is really catchy and I think the rest of the album is pretty solid.

[Epilogueboy]

These are my boys. This record is amazing. Its raw pop punk, there is no auto tune on the vocals like most bands and are so keen on doing, especially in this kind of style of music. And I don't see the panic/fob comparison. Whatevs.


ahahaha thats halarious. have you seen this band live?? my man DEFINITLY uses massive amounts of autotune. not thats thats a bad thing, im just saying he definitly needs the push.

[zafran27]

envy on the coast rules

[Moral_Orel]

good review, i have this cd and i must say i enjoy it but i don't listen to it every day

[NJUNDERDOG]

gabe saporta doing a third rate fall out boy karaoke performance. i laughed hard when i read that. because my initial reaction after hearing the album was man this guy is biting gabe pretty hard.

[itslikejon]

ahahaha thats halarious. have you seen this band live?? my man DEFINITLY uses massive amounts of autotune. not thats thats a bad thing, im just saying he definitly needs the push.

I've actually been on tour with them and I know for a fact there is no autotune. Sorry.

[Chico]

Great review Steve. I usually enjoy reading your reviews whether I agree with it or not. Now for the album, it really depends on my mood, just like a lot of people already mentioned. After a long day, this will probably be the last thing I want to hear.

[untitled94]

:shrug: Chalk it up to opinion. I just think that they don't sound at all original, and are far less talented than the bands that they're ripping off.

The last time I listened was a month ago, though, but I can't really see my opinion changing that much.

ok you are 14 years old. nevermind.

[twotoneterror]

this is a great cd. while I do agree that it isn't an everyday cd, I wouldn't knock it as much as you did.
First off- the whole FOB/PATD reference is ridiculous. I'll leave it at that.
Secondly- JB is a great singer- i have seen them live and filmed them. He really does sound like that.

[Steve Henderson]

ok you are 14 years old. nevermind.
Hahahaha, that dude is wise way beyond his years.

[captainamazing4]

i dig this review. i dont think the album is very good.

everything is starting to sound like fob and panic!

kind of annoying, but still hard not to like.

[grimis16]

im not a huge fan of the cd, but i do like, "heaven on the horizon," "alien," and "she'll never know"

[niktyler]

ahahaha thats halarious. have you seen this band live?? my man DEFINITLY uses massive amounts of autotune. not thats thats a bad thing, im just saying he definitly needs the push.

there is NO auto-tuning on this record

[untitled94]

Hahahaha, that dude is wise way beyond his years.

if you say so haha.

on another note, good review. although i don't agree with all of your points, it was an excellent write up.


ahahaha thats halarious. have you seen this band live?? my man DEFINITLY uses massive amounts of autotune. not thats thats a bad thing, im just saying he definitly needs the push.

i disagree. i think he's pretty awesome live and although i'm not an expert, i can't really hear much vocal work done to the recordings.

[Miss Heartcore]

I've actually been on tour with them and I know for a fact there is no autotune. Sorry.


i don't believe that they use autotune either.
i've seen them at least 8 times and i've seen no evidence of that.

personally, i love the album, it's my favorite one of the year so far.
i like the lyrics even more since JB made liner notes about their meaning and i like the guest vocals.
to each his own.

[msudhar]

I usually don't like these kinds of bands but I was strangely attracted to this album.
same here

[CWeezer2]

to begin with, i really don't think FOB and PATD sound anything alike and perphaps that's where my problem lies. but i really, really do not hear either of those influences in their sound to the point they were compared. it's pop-punk, sure there's a little fall out boy in there but don't their lyrics and subject count for anything? the overall sound of their music being slightly more gritty? the high court is slowly becoming one of my new favorites in the genre and i think the album is solid. but despite all that it was, as always, a well written review.

[bust_a_move]

I totally disagree with this review. I think this album is anything but bland.

JB is an incredible singer, one of the best (live and on record) out today. Brendon Urie could never sing like he can (and take it from me, I've seen both bands multiple times... oh, being 16). Besides JB I think this album is also musically amazing, which you touched on. Overall, they ARE a lot more "raw" and real than those bands. I'm not saying I'm not a fan of the other bands, but I love the High Courts music more than both of those combined.

I think it's one of those things where you really have to see them live to get it.

Also, you didn't mention "In Bambi's Eyes"... thats my song. =(

[Steve Henderson]

JB is an incredible singer, one of the best (live and on record) out today.
If you really think that, you need to get out more.

I think it's one of those things where you really have to see them live to get it.
This is a CD review, not a show review.

[tm decomposer]

I never gave this a real comment. Your review sums up everything. I believe this might be the closest thing to Midtown, which makes me always come back to the album and listen to it. They play a pretty swell live show as well.

Great job man.

[niktyler]

in my opinion, this entire band is extremely talented. i mixed this record, I know it inside and out. it is the most "real" recording and display of raw musicianship i have ever encountered. no auto-tuning. no beat-detective. pure, raw, rock and fucking roll. on top of that, every song has a meaning... a purpose.. pure emotion that went from paper to your cd player. how could anybody ever shit talk something like that? i don't see how you can grade or put a "rating" on a record like this... nobody ever gets any credit for being "real" anymore. it's a shame. it really is.

If I was forced to put a rating on this record, I would give them a 10 for working their asses off on every aspect of their careers, a 10 for putting 110% for something they believe in, and 10 for writing about REAL things that actually matter to them and other people.


So props to The High Court. A nuclear bomb couldn't pull this band off the road.

[whoadudeyeah]

Totally Shredderrr

[Drums4life97]

in my opinion, this entire band is extremely talented. i mixed this record, I know it inside and out. it is the most "real" recording and display of raw musicianship i have ever encountered. no auto-tuning. no beat-detective. pure, raw, rock and fucking roll. on top of that, every song has a meaning... a purpose.. pure emotion that went from paper to your cd player. how could anybody ever shit talk something like that? i don't see how you can grade or put a "rating" on a record like this... nobody ever gets any credit for being "real" anymore. it's a shame. it really is.

If I was forced to put a rating on this record, I would give them a 10 for working their asses off on every aspect of their careers, a 10 for putting 110% for something they believe in, and 10 for writing about REAL things that actually matter to them and other people.


So props to The High Court. A nuclear bomb couldn't pull this band off the road.
Backed.