Neck Deep: Wishful Thinking

Artist: Neck Deep
Title: Wishful Thinking
Format Reviewed: 12" Ltd. Edition Vinyl
Format Release: 13th January 2014
Reviewed By: Dan Stoten

Another of the most eagerly anticipated records of 2014 is this one from Wrexham pop-punks Neck Deep. Wishful Thinking is the band's first full length, and an album which arrives in the shops labouring under a heavy weight of expectation. Having only formed in 2012, this is a band which has seen a meteoric rise, capped last year with being signed by Hopeless Records. Their EPs, particularly Rain In July, also showed a huge amount of potential; their live performances even more so.

There is no getting away from the fact that Wishful Thinking is a tremendous achievement. What the band have delivered is a truly modern pop-punk record which takes significant and major influences from the best bands across the scene but adds enough individuality to make it stand out. Although it's not quite a five-star album, it is exceptionally (and I emphasise exceptionally) close to being so: more of a 4 and three-quarter star type album. It doesn't quite have that final sparkle. For a band as young as Neck Deep to have released an album of this quality, however, is truly mind-blowing.

When listening to the band initially, comparisons with The Story So Far are somewhat hard to dispel. Ben Barlow's vocal in particular has the drawn-out, almost slurring yet abrasive nature of the aforementioned Americans. However, perseverance with Wishful Thinking displays a level of depth that Parker Cannon's band perhaps do not have.

Wishful Thinking is a complex album. Each track is hugely multi-faceted, something you perhaps would not expect. This is not 'just another pop-punk album', it's one that's been thoughtfully and intelligently written, both from a lyrical and musical perspective. It's a refreshing change from the pick-up-and-play style of punk.

That is not to say, however, that you couldn't just put this album on for a quick blast. It's an album which, even on first listen, feels comfortingly similar, in that you feel you know when the drops are going to kick in, where the riffs are taking you. Of course, you don't: as I've already mentioned this is a complex record; but it has that familiarity. This is a real skill the band have displayed in that it doesn't push you too far out of your comfort zone as a listener yet still has easily enough edge to push you very close.

What Wishful Thinking also evidences is a band which has really matured over the past years. When comparing to the brilliant rawness of Rain In July, there are times when you almost could believe that the two records are from two different bands. It's good to see, though, that they've kept their core: when listening properly this could be nothing other than a Neck Deep album.

Lyrically, the record is angsty-enough to appeal to pop-punk fans, but mature and driven enough to appeal to the wider punk scene as well, again evidencing the intelligence displayed by the band. All twelve tracks are strong, with no weak links. All have their intricacies and layers; a number, perhaps, have a slight over-use of the double-bass drum, but this is a very minor criticism, and all the tracks flow together beautifully.

Reading back over it, this review has taken a very mature tone. That is perhaps suited to Wishful Thinking. What Neck Deep have produced here is a true testament to the band and so, so tantalisingly close to pure brilliance. It's certainly an album you need to have in your collection. If this is Neck Deep's debut, I cannot wait to see their follow-ups.


Wishful Thinking is available now. The band are on a headline tour until 25th January, before touring with We Are The In Crowd and Save Your Breath from 29th January - 10th February. They then head to the US from 28th February - 5th April.