For as long as I can remember I have been good with dates. It is something that has always amazed my dear mother. Even as a child she would ask me about something and I could tell her the day/date it happened on. It’s weird, I know. But the reason I mention this is I can tell you the date I first heard Sing for Sanity, the debut album the Columbus, OH pop punk/easycore band, Absolute Hero. The date was October 2^nd, 2016. The album was not even out at that point. I was on tour with Heroes like Villains, another Columbus pop punk band. The two bands have a special bond, a true band friendship, they actually just finished the first of many weekend tours together. Anyways Absolute Hero was having a listening party for the album and was a little bummed that HLV was on the road at that time, so they sent us a copy of the record with us.  Outside of Rockford, Illinois we finally put the album on and from the first note on the first song I was in awe. I have many friends in music, however, I can’t remember the last time I was struck the way I was when I heard this album. There were a few tracks I had to hear over at first listen, simply because I had to process what I was hearing. This is an album of hope and inspiration. This is an album that needs to be heard by the masses.

I first came to know of Absolute Hero earlier this year, February to be exact. I went to a random show at Spacebar. And I just remember how good the music was, it reminded me of Four Year Strong, a band that I may or may not worship. I also remember being impressed by the frontwoman. She was this little fiery thing. I liked her energy. It was fun and contagious. After that night I kept them on my radar, I would catch them when possible. From time to time, I would ask Sarah, the vocalist when they were releasing an album or EP. It was one of those I knew people would get into, and I was excited for them, I was excited for people to hear these songs. My excitement was only magnified by hearing the album on tour. Finally, on November 1^st, Sing for Sanity was unleashed onto the world.

From the first note of “A Faux Glory”, you know you are in for one hell of a ride. Those first few seconds are just enough to get you ready for what your ear holes are about to take in. By the chorus of this track, I recognized it. This was one of the songs I was used to hearing during their set. Very high energy, makes you want to mosh or posi jump or whatever it is you do. The next track, “Playing Dead” has one of those unforgettable choruses, the kind that you wait to hear when listening to the song, you know its coming and it just excites you, yeah this is one of those. I don’t know what it is but this is becoming my happy song. It’s actually playing now and I feel for my neighbor below me. Another part of this song that sticks out to me is the drumming of Justin Moegling. He is one of the better drummers in our scene, and it shows on this song, along with his killer screams towards the end.

One of the songs that really showcases Sarah Nicole’s songwriting ability is “For the Kids”. A sign of a great songwriter is being able to tell a story and have that story come across well told. This song is that. When I hear this song I can see myself living her words. I can feel what she felt when she wrote it. I love when I can do that. Another worthy example of this is the track “We Are the Overcast Kids”. This also is one those songs of hope. Sarah sent me the lyrics to this song a few months ago and at the time it meant a lot. So this one sticks out for me. As it will for others I think. When we are looking for new music one of the things we look for is the ability to relate and it’s songs like this that make that a little easier.  There are a few songs like that on this album.

Earlier I mentioned hope and inspiration. I want to touch on that for a second. As most of us know pop-punk is a boy’s club. Every once in a while a female breaks through and makes an impact, a change. Absolute Hero is one of those bands. However it’s just not for girls, it’s for everyone. As a black male, I feel inspired when I listen to this album. And I feel that is rare these days, especially in pop punk. These are not your typical pop-punk lyrics, these are songs about life, real life, and not some made up bubblegum life. And that should set this band apart. I truly feel this is an album that needs to be heard. And I hope I have inspired you to give it listen. It’s good, that good.

4.7/5