3 months ago, this was the perfect summer album; peppy, energetic, uplifting melodic hardcore with injections of pop/punk catchiness that you hummed along to while driving with the windows open that came across like a Christian Bane mixed with any popular pop punk act (Blink 182, Yellowcard, Sum 41, etc) but now in the grey months of Autumn, Take It Back!, while still a catchy, fun act are just not doing it for me.

Sure, some of the tracks cause involuntary singing along and foot tapping (“Times Have Changed”, “These Days”, “The Truth”, “Time Waits For No Man”) as the overall sound is one of power chord charged, gang chant laced, general happiness and fun, but I kinda cringed whenever the sniveling pop punk vocals kick in or the band veered into a radio friendly, pop punk canter (“Together, Burning Bright!”, “A New Day”, the otherwise enjoyable “Knees to the Earth”, “Lights in This Town”-complete with piano bridge). Everything is well played and the band has a knack for power melodic power chords and hooks, and even few moments of somber anger as heard on start of “Time Waits for no Man” and lengthy “A Struggle to Stay Standing”. However, “Act Your Shoe Size, Not Your Age” and undeniably rousing closer “All That Keeps Us Strong”, rounds things up with the expected high energy gang chants and punky romps.

In fact, I actually considered not reviewing Can’t Fight Robots as it is so commercial and mainstream, but in fairness to Facedown, this release has a wide appeal to hardcore and punk kids, and is certainly a peppy little bastard. I just can’t get over the Tom DeLonge vocals.

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