Title: I'm Completely Fine
Format Reviewed: MP3
Format Released: 1st September 2014
Reviewed By: Dan Stoten
If you're reading this blog, you'll know Me vs. Hero. Addictive, catchy and energetic UK pop-punks who have released just one...yes, just one, full length album. A band you feel as if you've known forever, a band you feel you've seen hundred of times, and a band you feel have much more content than just the one full-length.
So, let's take it back to 2010. The five-piece released one of the classic pop-punk records of the last decade in Days That Shape Our Lives. Combining intricate melodies, interwoven and passionate lyrics, with some early beatdowns, this was a forward-thinking and downright stunning record. Many tracks on that album still stand out as five-star songs now, four years later, with some of the most memorable intros and choruses ever seen in the UK pop-punk scene.Now, let's fast-forward four years to the present day, and the release of I'm Completely Fine, the second full length from the band. I've been listening to the album on repeat for a week or more now, and must say it's a record which both moves the game on for the band but equally plays to the best parts of Days That Shape Our Lives. It's not the sound of a band maturing per se: it's the sound of a band, in my eyes, getting back in touch with themselves, their style, and naturally, organically growing it: as you'd expect a sound would over four years.
The record opens with the title track: at just under a minute it's essentially an introduction to the record. It sets the scene: Sam's lyrics are reassuringly morose, the notes held in a similar manner to the first record. An element of gruffness sneaks in towards the end, which is a welcome new feature to the band which you'll discover as you listen to the rest of the record. From there, Me vs. Hero once again display their talent at writing a stunningly catchy hook, with the intro for Opposites grabbing you full on by the throat. It's a more melodic track than previous, and arguably a little more sedate in it's delivery. It's not slow by any means, but doesn't feel it has that raw, slightly on-the-edge feel. It's a more rounded, more polished song.
That edge soon returns with the third track, though: Skin and Bones has that energetic cantering drum beat, combined with classic gang shouts, a melodic chorus and also, the welcome addition of some gruffer, strained, near-shouty vocals. The chorus is a blinder, too, almost beatdown-influenced but with crashing cymbal and vocal flowing jaggedly over the choppy backdrop. It's perfect, vintage Me vs Hero, but just updated to suit 2014.
Rush For Gold is arguably one of the best tracks on the record. The pop-punk market is fairly flooded at present, with bands such as Neck Deep and The Story So Far having a huge influence on many new artists. Me vs Hero (who, it could be argued, actually influenced those bands), have managed to find their perfect balance. Rush For Gold does at times have rings of the aforementioned bands, but at the same time, it's unique and very much a Me vs Hero track. The complexities of Simon's drums alone elevate it, but again, the choppy style is more and more unique in today's rounded musical world. The chorus is so strong, so catchy, that it almost teases you, as it's almost tantalisingly short. Classic pop-punk backing gang-vocals are a welcome blast from the past, too.
We then move onto Virtues, which again opens stunningly, the guitar almost overtaking the drums in it's eagerness to force itself into your ears. Virtues has got some brilliant lyrics in, but perhaps sounds a bit too generic despite the different guitar tone. It's far from a bad song but doesn't jump out at you as others do on I'm Completely Fine. This is followed by another minute-long track, the frenetic and energetic Home Alone. Fortunately, it's a lot more than just filler, with the energy here easily enough to carry the listener through to the second half of the album.
The second half opens with Marks of a Slave, where the vocals have a grit and anger arguably not seen before on a Me vs Hero release. The chorus here is exceptional again, combining soaring melodies with that grittiness: but not to the point where it descends into pure screaming. It's a brilliant balance and one many bands could learn from. Again, it's a complex track which doesn't 'flow' in the purest pop-punk way: but that's what makes Me vs Hero stand out. As I said earlier, this is the sound of a band doing it their way, getting back in touch with what makes them, them.
It's also refreshing to hear mini-instrumental breaks throughout the record, something that, when done well, can really add to a track. It's not something you hear very often, but Me vs Hero feature them in a handful of songs on I'm Completely Fine, in a really well-judged way.
Heisenberg, the track following the interlude (Truth) wouldn't be out of place on Days That Shape Our Lives. It's a bouncing, bubbling track with the typically morose lyrics and gang-shouts. Hang In is a beautifully crafted song, with Sam's vocal becoming fragile when isolated with an acoustic guitar. It's a lighters-in-the-air, arms-around-your-mates epic, and one which you just know is going to be massive live. Things We Know again shows that amazing ability for a perfect opening, really grabbing you.
I'm really happy to be able to say that I'm a fan of this record. Me vs Hero as a band have faced a huge amount of adversity, so the fact that this is their second album is to be applauded, let alone the fact that it's a bit of a belter. You might have waited four years for it, but it's worth the wait...
What I'm Completely Fine really does for me, though, is remind me of just how good Days That Shape Our Lives is. I've listened to the new album a good ten to fifteen times in the last week or so. But I've listened to their 2010 classic double that in the same time period. This doesn't take anything away from I'm Completely Fine at all, it just highlights what should surely be remembered as an absolute, stonewall classic.
Me vs Hero head out on a headline UK tour 18th - 24th September in support of I'm Completely Fine.
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