CAUTION: This review was written by someone who DID NOT agree with the Scene Point Blank reviews of New Found Glory's previous album Catalyst. I am all about New Found Glory's discography, start to finish. With that being said, here is the review. You have been warned!
When I was younger and up until I listened to this album, I never really understood what it meant for a band to "mature." Being a New Found Glory fan from around the time their first full-length album Nothing Gold Can Stay was released, I'd say I'm a pretty legit authority on this bands ups and downs. And frankly, I can't imagine them reaching a higher up then what they've hit with Coming Home.
I'd say the opening track "Oxygen" accurately sets the tone of the album. Almost boasting an angry ballad-type vibe. Somewhat ethereal with a heavily indelicate edge. Kind of like watching a weathered army walk through a rose garden. Like New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert becoming engaged to Eisley's guitarist/vocalist Sherri Dupree. Eh... Eh... Get the idea? Ok, here's a little insight on my personal taste. One of my favorite bands of all time is Eisley, and I don't think there could've been a better mashing of styles then that of Eisley and New Found Glory. Don't think it's possible? With songs like "Too Good to Be," "Connected," and "Boulders" featured on Coming Home, I defy anyone who's familiar with both bands to not hear the influence of the fairer sex.
Now, it's not hard to see how an old-school New Found Glory fan would be a little let down by this album. If you are into the fast, crunchy, heavy (as heavy as pop-punk can be) breakdown aspect of their first few albums with songs such as "Better Off Dead" circa New Found Glory, "At Least I'm Known for Something" circa Catalyst or the entire Nothing Gold Can Stay album, then you may look at this as them going soft. At the same time, if you're the kind of person who's favorite New Found Glory tracks are "Ballad for the Lost Romantics" circa New Found Glory, "Sonny" circa Sticks and Stones, or "Ending in Tragedy" circa Catalyst, then this is your mid-tempo wet dream come true! Either way, you cannot deny how far this band has come. Coming Home still encompasses the things that make New Found Glory great. Amazing lyrics, hooks so melodic and catchy that my hands are red from not buying a mitt, and, despite a mellower tone, I could still imagine myself going fucking nuts singing along to these songs live.
All in all, this album is amazing. Yes, AMAZING! Believe me, I don't use that term loosely. I can agree with a handful of points made against Catalyst, but, even if you didn't enjoy that album, I sincerely think that Coming Home will be an enjoyable listen for you. Defining the term "matured" in a musical sense, I must say New Found Glory has found a very comfortable sound. With an aptly titled album, and to be cheesy enough to end with a quote from the album in review, boys, I have to say, "You are home."
