2011 has been an incredible year for pop-punk. All Time Low and Simple Plan, flag-fliers for the genre, have received considerable mainstream attention, having released records that pander to the airwaves of the radio. Yet it is the smaller and less celebrated bands that have not only been keeping pop-punk alive but also restoring respectability and acclaim to the genre that produced the likes of blink-182 and New Found Glory. The Story So Far has produced an impressive debut, Under Soil And Dirt, continuing the trend of setting the bar high for young punk-rock outfits.

The Californian quintet comes out swinging with “States and Minds,” a striking introduction, which leads seamlessly into “Roam,” a perfectly upbeat summer anthem, where lead vocalist Parker Cannon’s voice resonates a more polished Matt Wilson (Set Your Goals), which is certainly not a bad thing. The guitars are raw, the drums pounding and the lyrics come straight from the heart, making this the standout single. In the same vain is the buoyant “High Regard,” which has a crunching lead guitar riff and “Quicksand” with the memorable hook “this quicksand // it pulls me under”.

“Mt. Diablo” has a bouncy and swinging rhythm that bears resemblance to Fireworks, but the distinctive and insistent vocals provide a unique edge, conveying more aggression, a characteristic that will undoubtedly sit well with those that don’t favor the “whinier” end of the spectrum. 

Meanwhile, “Four Years” and “Rally Cap” exemplify the effective use of dual-vocals with the contributions from Kelen Capener (Bass/Vocals) and Kevin Geyer (Guitar/Vocals), a welcome addition to the dynamic. Further, on the latter, one can’t help but relate to the chant “I’ve got nothing in common with anything anymore.”

The “Swords and Pens” verse moves rapidly, representing a punkier edge that The Story So Far successfully incorporate into their sound. In the meantime “Placeholder” is closer to the pop side: the acoustic ballad a particular standout moment on 

Under Soil And Dirt. “Closure” is a suitable conclusion to what is a consistently strong album, where a roaring and powerful breakdown ensures an exit with style.

Overall, The Story So Far has absolutely hit the nail on the head with Under Soil And Dirt. It fits the season of summer flawlessly and sends the message that if this is what The Story So Far is capable of on first attempt, then it would be fair to assume there’s great things to come from them in the future.

★★★★☆

*This review was composed by Ramsey Marwan