It’s hard not to compare every Face To Face album since their brilliant self-titled release in 1996, such is its standing. Three Chords may be markedly different to any previous efforts from the band but to dismiss it without hearing its intricacies would be a mistake. With a Social Distortion meets Clash-feel to the album, long time fans may want to brace themselves.
Starting with the slightly ska punk infused “123 Drop” it’s clear that the band have left their days of rollicking punk behind and settled on a more mature laid back album.
The melodies envelope this record on a whole, none more so than “Smokestacks And Skyscrapers” and “Jinxproof”, two sing-along tracks that could almost make commercial radio. The lines between punk and rock have never been so blurred for the band.
From “Right As Rain” to “Bright Lights Go Down” to the title track itself, the verses flow seamlessly into the catchy choruses and whilst it does take a few listens to the album as a whole to appreciate its worth, there is definitely reward at the end of this rainbow.
Finishing with “Across State Lines” it’s clear these guys are at the peak of their powers when it comes to delivering crisp clean rockabilly punk tracks.
Always consistent and never afraid to progress musically, Three Chords And A Half Truth is another gem of the Face To Face discography. It won’t be to everyone’s liking but if there was such a thing as a nice Sunday afternoon punk record to listen to…then this would be it.
