The Foresters - The Foresters EP

Bethany, Connecticut's own The Foresters have arrived on the scene with their self-titled debut EP. The disc is a refreshing collection of works from a group of young talented brothers Evan (13 yrs. old), Hayden (11 yrs. old), and Liam (9 yrs. old) that show everyone that young kids know how to rock too with a simple and straightforward pop-punk blast that is reminiscent of how Green Day and blink-182 first got their start, and they're well on their way to achieving that same level of success in the years to come.

The disc starts off strong with my favorite track off the disc, "Better" a noisy, punk-fueled barrage that gets off into high gear right from the start with an assortment of blasting guitar riffs and loud, blasting drum patterns that show off the band's remarkable musicality that is incredible to find at this young of an age. "Rubber Band" takes it back old school with a raw, dynamic sound that give the listening audience an idea of what to expect as we move forward. "Mugshot" pumps it up to 11 with an loud, furious rhythmic guitar pattern that show the band's evolution into a group of experienced and dedicated musicians that can play with the big boys anytime and are more than "just a group of kids". "Mastermind" is a more melodic, toned down tune that ventures into a more pop-punk direction than the others, and relies upon the collective wisdom of the brothers to craft a sonically pleasing track that goes well above and beyond the call of duty.

The disc's latter half features "Bleach'd", a fast moving opus that hearkens back to the early heyday of Nirvana with a fast paced, quick moving opus that condenses all of the members' individual talents in a span of just under 2 and a half minutes that allows the band to show what they're all about in a quick and orderly fashion. 'This Time" features some Ramones styled drum patterns that begin to close out the disc much like the same way it started, fast moving punk rhythms and no holds barred drum patterns that put everything in perspective right away. The disc ultimately concludes on "Alone", a tightly wound, encapsulated jam that brings together all the elements we've heard so far in one unique package that brings together an assortment of vocals, guitars, and drum beats that sound much like the works of a polished, veteran act. I was quite impressed when I first heard The Foresters a few months back and was amazed with the band's intense desire to get involved in music after first seeing Green Day in concert back in 2010 that encouraged them to save up their money to buy instruments that led them to ultimately form the band. Being exposed to music at such a young age can make a world of difference in young people's lives and enrich them with confidence and self-esteem that can help them get good grades in school, and possibly pursue careers within the field of music.

In conclusion, a solid and well rehearsed debut effort from The Foresters, a band that I'll be keeping a close eye on in the years to come, and a group that have all the necessary components to go forward with a possible future in the world of music in a live capacity.

                                                                                                                                      EP Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Better
2. Rubber Band
3. Mugshot
4. Mastermind
5. Bleach'd
6. This Time
7. Alone