Can’t Swim Drops New Album “Thanks But No Thanks” With Familiar Winning Formula
–by Robert Wilkins
Pop-punk band Can’t Swim hail from the great state of New Jersey. They are part of the new breed of punk from the Garden State that includes the likes of the Misfit and My Chemical Romance. The band was founded in 2015 and consists of Chris LoPorto (lead vocals and guitar), Greg McDevitt (bass, backing vocals), Danny Rico (lead guitar and backing vocals) along with Blake Gamel (drums).
After multiple albums and singles, the band are releasing a brand-new record called Thanks But No Thanks. The new album drops March 3rd on Pure Noise Records. The album isn’t much of a transformation from the band’s past offerings but when you already have a winning formula, why mess with it?
I love the way the album starts with the song “Nowhere, Ohio”. It is a high energy rocker that will get your attention right off the bat. The band rocks hard enough to offset the pop melodies and keeps the song edgy while remaining catchy. I believe it is good enough to be the first single from the album and perhaps even chart for the band.
“Eliminate” is a high energy favorite of mine from the album. It starts out with a nifty down stroking guitar riff and the drums sound great. This song will prove to be big winner in a live setting for the band. It has an anthemic quality that could prove fun for the band and audience members alike to sing in unison. When is that never fun in a concert?
“Even My Anger Has Issues” is another song from this record that I really liked. Once again, the drums in particular sound amazing and there are some slick bass drumbeats. The song is very catchy though a bit more angsty sounding than the others previously mentioned.
I have mentioned in the past that this type of pop punk or emo type of band is not what I would normally listen to. My reasoning is that it comes across as a little too poppy for my taste. Don’t, however, let that keep you from taking a listen for yourself. I will say that when I looked up the band online they rock a lot harder live than on the record. For whatever it’s worth, live shows are the real measure of a band in my opinion. On that front they are definite winners. Be sure to give them a listen and check them out when they come through your town. See below for dates and buy your tickets and the album here.
For more information on Can’t Swim:
Website: https://cantswim.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cantswim/
Instagram:@cantswim_
Twitter:@cantswim_
Track Listing:
- Nowhere, Ohio
- Can You Help Me
- Me vs Me vs All of Y’all
- Met U the Day the World Ended
- Ver Paradox I’m Paradigm
- I Heard They Found You Face Down Inside Your Living Room
- Eliminate
- I’ve Never Paid a Toll on the Garden State Parkway
- Even My Anger Has Issues
- Thnx But No Thnx
2023 Can’t Swim Tour Dates:
March 3-Buffalo, NY-Rec Room
March 4-Pittsburgh, PA-Thunderbird Cafe
March 5-Toronto, ON-Velvet Underground
March 7-Grand Rapids, MI-Pyramid Scheme
March 9-Chicago, IL-Cobra Lounge
March 10-Madison, WI-High Noon Saloon
March 11-Omaha, NE-Slowdown
March 12-Denver, CO-Marquis Theater
March 14-Salt Lake City, UT-Soundwell
March 15-Boise, ID-The Shredder
March 17-Portland,OR-Lola’s Room
March 18-Seattle, WA-Substation
March 20-Sacramento, CA-Harlow’s
March 21-Berkeley, CA-Cornerstone Craft Beer & Live Music
March 22-Santa Cruz, CA-Catalyst
March 23-Anaheim, CA-Constellation Room
March 24-San Diego, CA-Soda Bar
March 25-Last Exit Live-Scottsdale, AZ
March 27-San Antonio, TX-Vibes Event Center
March 28-Houston, TX-White Oak Music Hall
March 30-Birmingham, AL-Zydeco
March 31-Pensacola, FL-Handlebar
April 1-Gainesville, FL-High Dive
April 2-Tampa, FL-The Orpheum
April 4-Carrboro, NC-Cat’s Cradle
April 5-Richmond, VA-Canal Club
April 6-Garwood, NJ-Crossroads
April 7-Baltimore, MD-Ottobar
April 8-Philadelphia, PA-First Unitarian Church
April 9-Worcester, MA-Palladium