One of the most sugary rock releases to cross my desk this year, the AMERICAN DREAM EP from Michigan’s ROCKY LOVES EMILY (out this week via Tooth & Nail digitally with HOT TOPIC handling physical discs exclusively) is a throwback to the pop-punk of the early Warped Tour-era.
With only five songs kicked off by the infectious title track, it’s a feel-good record that should score points among fans of the old-school (NEW FOUND GLORY, ALLISTER), or those that dig newer fare like THE MAINE. That said, it sounds a little too familiar at times, in that you feel as if you’ve heard it a thousand times before. Power chords… girls… heartbreak. Good songs, but there’s not a lot to set ROCKY LOVES EMILY apart from their peers.
Rating: 3/5