In the pop punk heyday that occurred earlier this decade many bands got their undeserved 15 minutes and than abruptly disappeared. Lost in the shuffle was one pop punk band I loved dearly, Autopilot Off. They were a group who stood head and shoulders above most of their peers and yet never got their moment in the sun. Despite this, their self-titled EP is still one of my favorite listens when I’m in the mood for some great pop punk.
Autopilot Off had a sound that was just so much more powerful than their peers. A big part of this is Chris Johnson’s bass-baritone vocals. Unlike so many of the whiny singers of the genre, his voice posses a resonating presence that doesn’t grate on you after listening to it for an extended period of time. The percussion also packs a wallop that to one of the punchier snare drum sounds I’ve ever heard.
The band’s lyrics also swayed from the norm. Instead of singing about girls (both the joys and the problems), Autopilot Off’s tended to go towards more self-reflective topics like failure and one’s perceived distance from others (think Hot Water Music). This helps to make sure that the listener doesn’t “outgrow” the music.
On the EP the band goes full throttle through five tracks. The chunky power chord riffs are accented by actual lead guitar work, which is always smiled upon. The band throws enough small changes in the musical arrangements to keep the music fresh. A different picking rhythm here, some muted chords there, some drop outs for bass solo over there, and the result is a nice mix of simple sounds. From the anthem-like “Nothing Frequency,” to the distant intro of “Wide Awake,” everything about this EP shines far brighter than the typical Warped Tour fodder. You may have missed it at the time, but it’s never to late to check this EP out.
Review Score: 8.7
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