Amusement - First 3 EPs Collection

For some the Covid lockdowns spelt absolute disaster with businesses suffering, families deprived of visiting loved ones, particularly those who were vulnerable. For others it proved more productive with artists like Amusement forming.

Amusement are a Portland, Oregon quartet whose members originate from bands such as From Ashes Rise, Young Livers, Arctic Flowers, and Deathreat; whose membership comprises Stan Wright – Guitar, John Wilkerson – Vocalist, Matt Farrell – Bass and John Massel on Drums. The idea was to produce a group who were more melodic than the heavier fare found in the members past/present day jobs and Voilà, the First 3 EPs Collection, which handily compiles their three EP's, 2023's Walk Out to Sink, Dead on the Inside and 2025's Holding On.

If you dig underrated Tacoma, Washington outfit Seaweed then 'Walk out to Sink' will be right up your street. In other words it's powerful yet catchy Punk-Pop with hooks and soaring Vocals aplenty. The track also recalls The Goo Goo Dolls 'Long Way Down' before the vomit inducing, sappy ballads started dominating that band's catalogue. An invigorating opener. 'You Will Never Hear This' is a Post-Hardcore gem akin to legendary Dischord Records bands as Marginal Man and Government Issue. Uniform Choice also come to mind, particularly the underrated sophomore release Staring Into The Sun. An impassioned delivery that harnesses the energy of vintage Hardcore but which is simultaneously chock full of harmonic melodious goodness. 'Dead on the Inside', a little heavier sounding with Grungy hooks ala Nirvana is like a bonus cut off of Nevermind as well as Northern Ireland's finest, Therapy? There's a 90's angsty feel which despite being well played out in alternative music now, still feels heartfelt here. The album's halfway point 'Repentance' appears to take notes from Hüsker Dü as well as criminally overlooked Chicago outfit Articles of Faith, particular the latter's In This Life record. Again, bands that were immersed (as with Uniform Choice) in straightforward Hardcore Punk but who decided to broaden out their sound to create something even more wondrous, something Amusement have achieved perfectly here.

'Holding On' is poppier than its predecessors and if Cruz Records staples like All, Chemical People and Big Drill Car tick your musical boxes then you'll be all over this. While I tend to be lukewarm when it comes to that type of sound, here the quartet hit the mark resoundingly. Transitioning so seemlessly from a track like the aforementioned 'Holding on' to 'Standing on Top of the A Bomb', a much faster, quite dramatic number is testament to the band's incredible depth and talent. Despite its speed the fact that it still manages to retain the dynamic of a band such as Quicksand is nothing short of extraordinary, a personal favourite. 'Amusement' is a fun listen, again borrowing heartily from Hüsker Dü with perhaps a little Pegboy slipped in for good measure. The album is concluded by a cover of Dinosaur Jr's 'Budge', from the Bug album. This was the last record to feature at that time Dinosaur's classic line-up, and was wracked with creative and personal tensions. Amusement do a credible job of capturing the same sense of unease and chaos while also toning down the Noise-Rock elements of the original.

As indicated earlier in the review, Melodic Punk-Rock isn't my usual go to sound and who can blame me with bands like NOFX and Green Day dominating for almost as long as I've been alive. Fortunately Amusement show that the genre can be performed with passion and intelligence, resulting in a positively joyful listening experience.