New Found Glory – Not Without A Fight – Review

Release Date: March 9th, 2009
Record Label: Epitaph Records
Genre: Pop Punk

In the decade+ time that New Found Glory has filled with music scene with delectable pop rock goodies, they have always managed to capture the thoughts and hearts of their listeners. You know what I’m talking about. You remember when you first started dating that girl/boy? The good times, the bad times, the “god I’m bored” time? Well NFG was always relevant back then, through breakups and parties, through high school and into college, with their latest effort “Not Without A Fight” they have returned with a proper effort.

Let me clarify, New Found Glory really has never put forth an uninteresting or uncatchy full-length. Personally however, the Tip Of The Iceberg EP and the side project of The International Superheroes of Hardcore as well as their 2006 effort “Coming Home” just didn’t feel right. These guys aren’t a one trick pony, but they do pop rock very well. “Not Without A Fight” then is a return to the more carefree and memorable tracks way of life that had everyone singing along with at one of their concerts. Of course this means you have tracks that sound similar to their older tracks, (case in point “Listen To Your Friends” sounds plenty like “My Friends Over You,”) but if you can fight off your notions of pointing that out, this record is simply great.

There were summers that I would fill with listening to “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” “New Found Glory,” “Sticks And Stones,” and “Catalyst.” All of which were filled with classics as all of them played like one big catchy hit. “Not Without A Fight” is the same way. Sure, there are personal songs that turn it down a notch and truly tug at the heart strings, but mostly the album has swinging hooks, well versed vocals (as always) from Jordan, and hilarious jumpy bass antics from the proudly chub Ian.

I know it’s hard to proclaim a classic while it still struggles for top billboard sales positions, but “Not Without A Fight” feels like a true reimagining of New Found Glory‘s old style. So are you a fan of their former glory, or just need a pop rock album you can relate to at almost any time? Well NFG is here for you and has a shoulder to cry/laugh/(sneeze?) on. ~Staff

Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:
1. Right Where We Left Off
2. Don’t Let Her Pull You Down
3. Listen to Your Friends
4. 47
5. Truck Stop Blues
6. Tangled Up
7. I’ll Never Love Again
8. Reasons
9. Such a Mess
10. Heartless at Best
11. This Isn’t You
12. Don’t Let This Be the End