Having first discovered FACE TO FACE in while browsing the bins at countless now-deceased independent record stores in Iowa during my early-90’s high school years, I was excited to hear that the band was back together and releasing a new album. Out today, LAUGH NOW, LAUGH LATER finds Trever Keith and Co. returning to the straightforward punk sound that shaped their early records at a time that couldn’t be more appropriate. This year, the band celebrates their 20th Anniversary.
With 11 songs served up in under 36-minutes, F2F sticks to the formula that works with catchy grooves and those sing-along choruses delivered in tight, 3-minute nuggets. Though the album is noticeably lacking some of the youthful enthusiasm one comes to expect, these punk rock vets still manage to deliver a record that should satisfy the old-schoolers while picking up some new ears along the way.
Standout Cuts: It’s All About You, Bomb’s Away, What You Came For, I Don’t Mind and You Don’t Matter
Rating: 3.5/5
