Amber Pacific

Truth In Sincerity

[4.5/5] The title of Amber Pacific’s new record, Truth In Sincerity, speaks volumes of its contents: At a time when so many bands have seemingly lost the stomach to stick to whatever it was that made them popular in the first place, feeling the need to either dull their edge, craft rock operas or go indie rock, the Seattle quartet clearly believe there’s still no shame in playing classic, guitar-driven pop-punk. Nor should they-Truth can hold its head high among some of the genre’s best of this decade, with the kind of infectious melodies, roaring guitars and furious, stop-start rhythms that to this day make all those great old New Found Glory and Yellowcard albums so enjoyable. Furthering this welcome sense of revival is a vocal cameo on “Runaway” by Mike Herrera, vocalist/bassist of lifers MxPx, which serves as a sort of musical passing of the pop-punk torch. With Truth, Amber Pacific have more than proven their ability to keep that flame lit. (HOPELESS) Brendan Manley