Album Reviews

- by Nate Hennon

As the post-hardcore punk Ryan Gosling, one could view Anthony Green as too attractive to be taken seriously. However, this dude backs up up his aesthetics with an unrelenting work ethic, a flair for showmanship and need to try something new. Where Saosin was his post-hardcore baby and Circa Survive his venture into a more progressive, dynamic sound, Green's songwriting ability shine on his solo albums. His latest, "Pixie Queen", appears to be his most personal work to date.

The majority of Green's solo work is dedicated to his wife and his domestic life. As much as Green can dominate a stage with his other bands, his wife and kids appear to be the true motivation to keep going. These sentiments are never more present than on "I'm Not Holding You Back", "Better Half" and "Pixie Queen". These songs kind of make you want to do the dishes or pick up the dirty socks you leave on the bedroom floor every night. But I digress. Musically, Green bounces around genres more on “Pixie Queen” than on his previous solo work. Instead of writing songs that could be Circa B-sides, sans “Dawn On The Canal”, Green focuses on stripped down arrangements and folky guitars.

Even though "Pixie Queen" is not a life-changing album nor is it Anthony Green's best work, it is a nice change of pace. Sometimes punks can grow up and still be true to themselves.