Just over a year since OSKER debuted with a full length called “Treatment 5,” we have been graced with a new disc that shows a much more mature, confident songwriter in Devon. While the first album was primarily a thrash pop-punk tribute to RANCID and SCREECHING WEASEL, “Idle Will Kill,” is entirely to its own character – and trust me, it’s for the better. Devon’s unquestionable ability to write catchy, tight songs is heightened to an impressive level of stability matched with charm and quirkiness. “Idle Will Kill,” is chock full of refined songs amped up with melody, passion, and a true sense of reality. On a few tracks, (“Stranged,” “Contention,” and “Out of Touch”) it’s almost as if Devon and the remainder of OSKER are playing live right in front of you as you can feel the music drip down into your soul. This is not the same skatepunk band of last year, that’s for sure. Of special note here are the thoughtful, provocative lyrics – the kind of stuff that challenges your own experiences and premonitions. On the sharpest tune of the platter, “Strangled,” Devon spits out, “I was the glue that held us together, I’ll be that fucking stitch forever. When you feel like there’s nothing left inside of you, just remember I wanted something I could hold onto…” Mated to such emotive poison is a decidedly pop-punk sound with less zip, but with cleaner, more intricate guitar parts. Given the fact that I like Devon’s voice a lot, I’m pleased with this release the most when the songs are paced down a bit and Devon can sing above all else. Should the opportunity arise, I think Devon would be killer doing the acoustic thing. Anyway, “Idle Will Kill,” is far above the standard for a rockin’ pop-punk release, and OSKER have overall done something pretty original sounding that should give these guys a hefty swagger among the punk rock heavyweights.

Epitaph

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