Review → Banner Pilot – Resignation Day (2008)
Banner Pilot - Resignation Day
OK, it’s Friday so we’re gonna do a straight-up punk album. No country, no ska, no punk cabaret. Let’s start the machine.
I admit, I was not familiar with Banner Pilot when I was made aware of this album, save for their contribution to the Fest VI comp last year. So I didn’t quite know what to expect from this band, though honestly, if you string together the words “Minneapolis” and “punk band,” I’m all ears; between Dillinger Four, the Shortcuts, Off With Their Heads, Husker Du, and the Replacements, plus probably a million other bands I need to discover, the city has more than proven its ability to provide amazing punk rock.
So how do the guys in Banner Pilot live up to the standards set by their fair city?
The album kicks off with opener “Overwinter,” which features a nice guitar fade in before the rest of the band starts up, and singer Nick Johnson introduces the listener to his raspy voice. The song is a great lead-off track, and sets up the faster “Cut Bait” well. The music here is pretty straightforward Minnesota-style pop-punk, clearly having learned from the school of Dillinger Four. It should come as no surprise to a listener that the members include ex-Off With Their Heads.
My only complaint about this album is that, at first listen, the songs are all kind of… same-y. After a couple of listens, the distinctiveness of each track begins to show itself. So this album rewards repeated listens, and the songs will certainly ingrain themselves in your mind. That said, find the lyrics somewhere. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I cannot for the life of me make out half of what he’s singing.
All told, this is a great Midwest pop-punk release. This has been quite the year for Minnesota, apparently! I hope this is the first of many great things to come from this band.
Rating: 4 stars
If you’re interested in hearing the album, it’s streaming on Punknews.org. Click here.
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