This is a Stand Off

Great White North punkers This is a Stand Off brandish their blend of melodic punk and Canadian allegories in the follow-up to 2009's Be Disappointed with the thematically titled Be Delighted EP. The four-song release features the exact same TIASO sound with a "new but feels old" quality. Steve Rawles continues to channel Bad Religion's Greg Graffin, both in sound and style. Be Delighted also carries a Pennybridge Pioneers, early Millencolin feel that's hard to shake and easily distinguishable. Opener "We're Really Doing It" starts with blast beats that carry into the song, while final track "Vanadian" contains a somewhat random, but welcome, closing guitar solo. In between is a mash of melody, pop-punk guitar riffs and start-stops accentuated by Rawles's throaty lyrics. What this latest release lacks in diversity it makes up for with in-your-face hooks and melody.