Dealing With Damage – Ask More Questions LP (Little Rocket Records / Rad Girlfriend Records / Carabrecol Records)

Dealing With Damage is an English melodic punk rock quartet emanating from London. Perhaps they started four years ago, but this band consists of experienced musicians who previously played in bands such as K-Line, Jerrybuilt, Done Lying Down, Sink, Bad Dress Sense, Chocolate, Down Love, Spandex Nappy Rash, plus many more. If you listened to these bands before, then you know what to expect from their former members. Since their formation, the group released a collection of three extended plays on compact disc, Don’t Give Into Fear 7″, and a debut full-length recording named Ask The Questions on compact disc. This particular full-length gathered loads of positive critics, and due to the high demand, Little Rocket Records teamed up with Rad Girlfriend Records and Carabrecol Records to release this magnificent album on vinyl record.

Ask More Questions consists of their debut Ask The Questions CD and Don’t Give Into Fear 7″. There are sixteen engaging punk rock compositions decorated with marvelous ideas and tremendous musicianship. However, their music unquestionably differs from the groups who’re currently roaming the contemporary punk rock scene. Dealing With Damage are exploring early to mid-nineties punk rock sound with smaller chunks of power pop and proto-grunge lurking around somewhere in the very background. Their music is undoubtfully melodic, but you may notice vividly hearable fuzziness during the entire album, which is spicing things up even more. This dirtiness gives some more aggressiveness to their melodic aesthetics, so this material will appeal to those listeners who’re not entirely into melodic punk rock. Still, there are enough melancholic melodies to satisfy even the pickiest fans of contemporary pop-punk/punk rock music.

You may also hear some alternative and indie rock articulations along the way, but they’re pushed at the background, comparing to the beforementioned orchestrations. Still, Dealing With Damage assembled some alternative/indie articulations into their dominantly hearable punk rock sound, and these combinations are going well together. The group relies upon various guitar dualities. The rhythm delivers various chord progressions and robust riffages while the leads are covering these instrumentations with polyphonic themes. Both guitars burst with generous dosages of high gain, but their melodies and harmonies are detectable throughout the album. Engaging basslines are fulfilling the ambiance with warm-sounding low-end tones. The bass guitar offers all the necessary support to the guitars and contributes with dynamics alongside the rhythm section. The excellent drumming performance serves a specter of energetic rhythmic acrobatics, accentuations, and fills. Besides sounding like a charm from scratch to finish, Dealing With Damage offers engaging tunes that will satisfy those listeners who’re looking out for fresh and unique punk rock music.

Ask More Questions comes on classic black vinyl, accompanied by powerful visual identity. This vinyl release also includes an inlay with a lyric sheet, liner notes, and all necessary information about this material. Ask More Questions is available at Little Rocket Records, Rad Girlfriend Records, and Carabrecol Records. Head over to some of these labels for more detailed information about ordering this interesting recording.