Review: Shortcut to Newark - Gearing Up For Getting Down

GEARING Up For Getting Down is the debut album from Bromsgrove four-piece Shortcut to Newark.

The band describes their music as 'power pop' - and that's exactly how the album kicks off with the opening track Action Satisfaction.

From there, however, the album then seems to develop and become slightly more rock sounding, with Fall Apart a definite summer tune.

The album also reflects their ability to change their style with the slower more emotional Ten Years Later.

It is without doubt something that Shortcut to Newark can be very proud off and gives the lads a fine foundation for the future.

However, it does seem as though they are not quite clear on where their focus should be.

Their pop tunes are OK but do get a bit repetitive at times and lack variation. For me their best work is on show when they become slightly thrashier and angsty and display signs of a decent emo outfit towards the end of the album.

It ultimately ends how I was desperate for it to start, in the style of closing track The Kick.

Gearing Up for Getting Down starts like Busted and finishes like Jimmy Eat World. Let's just hope they continue where they left off.

Chris Flavell