“Oh, believe! We still have aces up our sleeves / You missed the point – delivery is key.” This lyric from The All Night’s debut self-titled EP seems to accurately represent the band’s musical philosophy. Sure, each of the five songs on the disc contains the same super-quick rhythm guitar, the same emphatic drum pauses and tight vocal harmonies harping on the same themes of angst; but why fix something that isn’t broken? There is a subtler art at work than the immediately obvious melodies and song structures. This band is committed to their music, and The All Night manages to capture an enthusiasm and an energy that brings a brief new life to the floundering genre of pop-punk. Look for some catchy choruses and some interesting rhythmic choices from the two singers. Beyond that, this recording relies heavily on charisma, which may not be enough for everyone.

Published in Volume 65, Number 4 of The Uniter (September 23, 2010)