Rotting Out

The sound of a skateboard gliding over the pavement sets the mood for Rotting Out's The Wrong Way, kicking off the opening titular track. The album ollies, kick flips and grinds its way through 11 numbers of skate punk-influenced hardcore, complete with requisite "whoa-ohs." The record is bursting with energy, which could inspire a boisterous boarding session or equally energetic mosh pit. Unfortunately, The Wrong Way suffers from a case of déjà vu, with many songs encouraging — nay, demanding — listeners to sing choruses of past Rotting Out songs by building up in a similar way. It's similar to how an average Joe wouldn't know the difference between a kick flip and heel flip, but someone more in-tune would. "The Shoot Out" brings to mind the chorus of "Laugh Now, Die Later," from 2011's Street Prowl. The refrain repeated is, "This is who we are, this is who we always were," and while that may be true, it's also The Wrong Way's main downfall.