Sometimes, on paper a band can look really good. But when you get around to listening, it just doesn't add up. No Harm Done is that kind of a band for me. The Florida natives play fast, melodic hardcore with the occasional pop-filler.
Escape is the band's latest full-length and first for Think Fast! Records. The fourteen tracks that comprise the album stick close the melodic hardcore formula of Lifetime, but not ever reaching the same level of musicianship. Like I said, on paper it looks great
The press sheet makes note that listeners of three bands might enjoy No Harm Done: Strike Anywhere, Saves the Day, and New Found Glory. All three of these are band's that I enjoy, specifically the latter two. So as I listened to Escape I must have subconsciously been comparing No Harm Done to the three.
Strike Anywhere. Yes, I definitely hear this sound throughout the songs. In fact, a large number of these songs - "Festivus Yes Bagels No" and "Tradition" among others - could have easily been DeadFM cuts. Unfortunately, the music is all a bit too familiar in sound at points, but I can still enjoy it, especially the faster cuts. However, when the band mixes in those slower elements, it's game over. As for the Saves the Day and New Found Glory comparisons, I really don't find these to be well founded at all. I'm probably being unjust by pointing all this out, but if you're going to cite examples at least make them true.
My biggest complaint with the band is vocalist Matt Cantewell's attempts at soaring harmonies. They just don't sit well with me when they're partnered with the music. They sound far too forced with the more rough-sounding punk vibe of the music. When he's just yelling, it works, but the melodies
I cringe every time.
Perhaps it is just me, but Escape just sounds so intentional and planned that it wipes away all the parts that I do enjoy about the record. Just like their preceding EP and full-length, Escape is wrought with predictability. This is melodic hardcore as it is known to all. There is nothing new or exciting brought to the formula. Sure, the band plays well, but it's just so by-the-numbers.
