Review: Heart Attack Man - Thoughtz & Prayerz (EP)

Label: Triple Crown Records

Who doesn't like a good ol' surprise? In today's predictable and calculated music industry there is no place for those kind of things. But sometimes, yeah, just sometimes there comes a band like HEART ATTACK MAN along the way and just leaves you saying "what the fuck...?!".

I haven't known this band before, so I did my research. They were being compared to WEEZER or GREEN DAY, so I expected some bubblegum-ish Pop-Punk and Power-Pop. After hearing the opener "Puke" the first thing I did, was checking if there is another band by the same name, cause that didn't sound the slightest bit like WEEZER or GREEN DAY. Another thing I found was an interview with the lead singer, who revealed that he listened to KORN a lot, while writing "Thoughtz & Prayerz". Yep, there you go!

"Puke" is some over-produced Nu-Metal/Crossover shit, with big balls and a cringe-worthy, primitive chorus, that goes like this: "You make me wanna fucking puke / I'm sick to my stomache at the thought of you". It's overstaded and comes with a wink, that's why they get away with it somehow. The title-track differs a bit, but not too much. In fact, this is more like a blend of the Crossover-sound with groovy Mosh. Maybe HELMET wound sound like that, if they had a sense for goofy humor and were catering to 16-year-olds. "Cool 2 me" continues the transformation of this EP. HEART ATTACK MAN go full Groove-Rock here, but they also discover their sense for melodies. On top of that the singer delivers over-accented rapping. Sounds strange, but it's catchy and fun. 

"Pitch Black" is more radical when it comes to the aformentioned transformation. Yeah, finally we are in the middle of Pop-Punk-territories. This sounds a lot like SUM41 in their prime, with a catchy chorus, clever lyrics and those rockin' verses. It's just beautiful and an instant classic within that kind of style. The closer "Leap Year" follows suit, with juvenile Pop-Punk in the vein of SUM41 and BLINK-182. Another hit, for sure.

I feel that I could enjoy this EP more, if they would've gone with the stilistics of the last two songs, cause they got that shit rolling... on the other hand, the surprise factor would be non-existent without the odd beginning. What I appreciate is, that these four young guys do their own thing. The intention is bland sometimes, the production is slippery and it may be all too juvenile and mainstream-y, but in the end "Thoughtz & Prayerz" (look at that notation, classic Nu-Metal!!!11) is really bold, pretty divers and kind of refreshing. Me likez!

Rating: 7 out of 10

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