Purple – 409

A So-So Beach Buddy

Texas-based punk band Purple is certainly not the first band to call themselves “party rock.” Andrew WK has been throwing the term around for 15 years, but while this trio may not be singing about partying until they puke, the fun and energy definitely comes across in their debut album 409. This record is rocky, at best, and while it has a few strong parts, it is ultimately forgettable.

409 begins on a high note, with the song “Wallflower.” Heavy, grooving guitars, a catchy drum beat and the cheery vocals of drummer and co-lead singer Hanna Brewer might lull listeners into the belief that they’ve come across the ultimate pop punk party album to welcome Spring with. But they would be wrong. Anything creative and intriguing about Purple disappears with the second song, “Double Nickels.” Guitarist and vocalist Taylor Busby does have a certain Blood Brothers-esque quality to his voice, but it’s not 1997 anymore – that style has been done and re-done to death, and they could do more. Brewer is clearly the superior vocalist in the group, and songs like “Thirteen,” while not much more inspired than any other track, let her powerful voice shine through.

So many bands have been coming out of the gate strong this year that anything remotely subpar is bound to get lost in the shuffle. And unfortunately, Purple’s first record is likely to succumb to that fate. Even an album full of their best songs would probably not amount to much, but there is certainly potential. Ditch the male singer and focus on the grooves found in the first song, and maybe the next album will be better.