The beautiful thing about pop-punk is that its brilliance is portrayed through its simplicity. Power chords, witty lyrics, catchy choruses, and toe-tapping beats are the paints to the artists’ brush. Yet, when all these illusive attributes forge together, the product is true brilliance. More often than not, these attributes are found as a cohesive unit on Firework’s sophomore record, Gospel. It becomes evident after one listen, and a given truth after three listens, that Gospel is pop-gold—pop-punk at its most dazzling.

Gospel finds Fireworks moving further away from their easy-core/pop-core roots toward a more polished pop-punk sound. Singer David Mackinder’s vocals have certainly improved from his nasally offering on 2009’s All I Have To Offer Is My Confusion, yet he maintains a uniqueness that sets him apart from his group’s contemporaries. His progression is not as drastic as New Found Glory’s singer Jordan Pundik’s vocal progression from Catalyst to Coming Home but is certainly noticeable. There is another noteworthy improvement in the ax department, as guitarists Brett Jones and Chris Mojan engage their instruments at a much higher level, adding much needed depth to Gospel. 

The album begins with the innocent “Arrows” and the punk-twinge, quasi-hardcore “I Was Born In The Dark.” The former foreshadows the new, polished direction that Fireworks is headed while the latter is an ode to the group’s roots. Yet, Gospel really hits its stride in the middle, starting with the infectious “We’re Still Pioneers,” a track that highlights the lyrical progress that the group has made. “But I still hate the way you just expect things to change // And when they don’t you say it // in that overly optimistic way // in that overly optimistic way,” Mackinder sings, “I shot things down like giants // I’ll be the Challenger of my generation’s space explorations // I am the Challenger.” Fireworks take their foot off the accelerator for “Teeth,” a track that is as infectious as it is charming. “Oh, Why Can’t We Start Old And Get Younger?” follows and is easily the catchiest track Fireworks has created since “Closet Weather” from the group’s debut LP. Just as “Teeth” is experimental when considered in the context of what Fireworks have done in the past, “I Am The Challenger” is equally unexpected. Mackinder croons softly over a simple acoustic guitar in a moody display of the versatility that Fireworks is capable of. 

Gospel may not be perfect (“Paintings Of Paul Revere” has been done before and struggles to stand on its own, while “I Locked My Time Capsule” is rather underwhelming, especially after a few spins of the record), but it sure holds the pop-punk flag high and does the genre proud. As Brian Shultz of Alternative Press commented, “[Fireworks’s] sophomore LP, Gospel, is yet another positive stride for the band as they continue to shed their once tributary flair and morph into an earnest, unique pop-punk outfit.” Gospel will ultimately go down as an underground pop-punk classic, and while some pop-punk outfits have traded in their sound for a chance at mainstream success, it is refreshing to find a group holding strong to their roots all the while attempting to progress their sound.

****/*****

*This review was composed by Mike Meeze