amplifyministries

Hawk Nelson

Originally from a mid-sized suburb of Ontario, Canada, power pop/punk foursome Hawk Nelson calls itself "diehard believers in the transformative power of dreams, planning a course in musical expression underwritten by Biblical rooting at a young age and following through with vivaciousness each inch of the way."As lifelong fans of pop/punk music the guys knew the steps it took to make a band and invested every ounce of energy into Hawk Nelson. "We defined our sound, cut an indie disc and started getting it in the hands of people," explains Jason. "We toured all around Toronto- from youth groups to colleges to arcades- and sought to get kids into it."After growing up listening to bands like TFK, MXPX and Slick Shoes, their contract with Tooth and Nail Records was the fulfillment of a huge dream. After four years and some growing, they're still dreaming, but in a more rock way. Influences of Goldfinger, The All-American Rejects, Sum 41 and Green Day can now be heard in their music.

TURN UP THESE MATURING PUNK SOUNDS

The members of Hawk Nelson may be relatively young and impact an even younger audience, but the fun and frantic foursome's steadily become elder statesmen in the punk/pop scene. As a result, this fourth studio CD packs the best of both worlds: a troupe of friends having the time of their lives, but also expanding beyond the simple power chords of their peers and enlarging the songwriting arsenal to accommodate additional advice and observations.

The title track kicks off the collection with a retro punk/rockabilly appeal—think The Clash crossed with current classmen like Fall Out Boy—that provides an especially empowering chorus encouraging fans to live life to the fullest. "Meaning of Life" continues to explore substantial spiritual subjects, but is also comprised of a remarkably unique and compelling arrangement. The track incorporates everything from acoustic and electric guitar trade offs to swelling strings and monstrous melodies that are impossible to shake after just a single listen.

That infectiousness continues on "Alive," a guaranteed sing-a-long in the making thanks to its punchy riffs, call and response-centered hooks and applicable message of living for the Lord. Yet "The Final Toast" closes the album with an even more unexpected tone, paying tribute to lost loved ones via string-enhanced somberness that recalls Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)." And given Hawk Nelson's consistency and longevity thus far, there's no reason why they can't mirror that latter comparison and stay relevant amidst a maturing artistic direction.—Andy Argyrakis CCM Magazine