Boston Manor: Sliding Doors, Container Review

Boston Manor has come a long way from its roots.

Albeit never without an alternative edge, early EP’s Driftwood, Saudade, and debut album Be Nothing, were, at face value, pop punk. Though seeped in a distorted haze and with hints of techno, popular tracks Peach State, Driftwood, Laika, and Lead Feet were saturated with pop punk elements. Catchy and punchy riffs, major chords, and skateboard worthy paces. But as devoted or even casual fans will certainly have noticed, new offerings have featured such aspects considerably less.

It has now been ten years since driftwood, and well, Boston Manor have drifted. But though such a phrase can have a negative connotation, that should not be the case here. With album after album, Boston Manor has continually dropped quality tracks, all while honing a unique sound and solidifying a place in the scene which they alone occupy.

Each new release has become increasingly steeped in techno and alternative atmospheric pressure, while the band has slowly shed the oft pigeonholed moniker of pop punk while still remaining a close enough relative to retain its initial following.

Container, released in February, straddles this line perfectly. A slow burn verse that opens into a big anthemic chorus with heavy guitars and a steady groove with just enough flare. Pause. Then an effects laden bridge that somehow seems to float above the ether, a pacific current retreating from the shore before the chorus descends on the listener once more. A concoction of Boston Manor’s ever evolving signature sound.

Then comes Sliding Doors. Dropped in early April, this track is another instance of Boston Manor keeping us on our toes. A groovy and quiet intro with whisper style vocals—similar to Chino Moreno in Around the Fur—followed by a kick and then, distorted screams leading  into an open and spacious chorus. But if the initial screams in the pre chorus weren’t shock enough then comes the bridge—or should I say breakdown.

This is undoubtably the heaviest song Boston Manor has dropped. An infectious riff, an open high hat and pumping snare, and repeated call out screams, combine for what must already be becoming a crowd favour. Though still layering aspects of the techno atmosphere of other tracks, the band has inquisitively stuck its noise into the metal and hardcore genre. Not only does Sliding Doors show the Blackpool natives can forge out a place of belonging here it also shows they can effectively bring it into the fold of their current take on modern alternative punk, making it more distinct and unique.

Personally, I hope a tour with Trash Boat is around the corner, one of the only bands I feel does justice to a comparison of Boston Manor’s sound.

Though Boston Manor has blessed listeners with a steady stream of singles and EPs over the last couple years, the band is due for a full length. If these are the first offerings from it, then it is shaping up to skyrocket the band into new directions and hopefully, break them out of any genre containers they may have felt stuck in.

Which Do You Prefer

• Heavy Boston Manor
• Punk Pop Boston Manor