“Binge Drinking”
This review was originally written for Music Scene Media.
Album artwork via Moore Ave
On March 24, Ontario-based group, Moore Ave, released their second single of the year. This track, “Binge Drinking,” follows the release of “Second Best,” which can be read here. The band consists of Josh, Joe, and Jack Gaudette and Shawn MacDonald.
Moore Ave sticks by their signature tone, hitting all the nostalgic pop-punk marks. The lead guitar wails away solos, the drums can bring any crowd to their feet, the bass drives the track forward, and passionate vocals deliver deeply personal messages. “Binge Drinking” feels more experimental than “Second Best,” with a raw vocals in the beginning and drifting harmonies in the bridge. Drummer MacDonald also utilizes more creative syncopation throughout the track. As a group, Moore Ave knows their strengths and continues to create a solid bodies of work.
Despite their exceptional musical skills, the real power in “Binge Drinking” lives in the prose. Josh has experienced a loss of some kind, filling the hole with this constant cycle of binge drinking. Lyrics like “Just wanna feel like I’m part of something/I’m sick and tired of feeling nothing” capture the hopelessness of this downward spiral. Josh feels numb, and he’s begging for something to change. Drinking brings him the camaraderie drinking buddies, but also reveals the loneliness deep inside. He’s struggling to sleep, to face himself, and to get on with life. The track fades out at the end, as if Josh has finally fallen asleep and found a bit of peace.
