Album Review: Funeral Party – “Golden Age of Nowhere”

New kids on the block Funeral Party are a Los Angeles five-piece with a self-professed “D.I.Y ethos” evident in the infectious, genre-fusing indie-punk that has them tipped for success in 2011. On January 24th, ahead of a 20 date UK tour, the band release their debut album, “Golden Age of Knowhere”, a high-octane riot of a record that will have indie kids ricocheting across dancefloors everywhere.
First single “New York City Moves To The Sound Of LA” kicks off proceedings, a record which opens with an infectious blend of drums and cowbells before crashing into a Strokes-style guitar riff overlain with frontman Chad Elliot’s yelping vocals. Subsequent singles “Just Because” and “Finale” share much the same spirit as their predecessor, encapsulating the bands youthful pulse and energy in four minute bursts of adrenalin that’ll be sure to keep the fans jumping at their upcoming shows. There’s barely a pause for breath until the dreamy opening synths of “Postcards of Persuasion”. The jangly guitars and meaningful lyrics almost give the song a ballad-like quality, but you’re kept assured that the band isn’t going soft with a rumbling bassline and those crashing drums they seem so fond of. Title track “Golden Age of Knowhere” is a disappointingly repetitive end to the album, suggesting that by track eleven, the boys have simply run out of steam.
“Golden Age of Knowhere” is a debut delivering a perfect combination of dance-punk riffs and sheer energy whilst maintaining that signature grimy D.I.Y edge, straight from one of the most exciting new bands on the indie scene. Whatever they may lack in musical precision, Funeral Party more than compensate for with relentless performances and catchier-than-the-plague songs that are sure to gain them an impressive following in 2011.