Versus The World Share Common Grief In ‘Homesick/Roadsick’

The title of the Santa Barbara bands new album says it all. The heart constantly yearns for what it cannot have and will never truly be satisfied when these particular problems meet head-on. ‘Versus the World’ revisit their struggles in ‘Homesick/Roadsick’.

The groups third album to date, tells the tale of conflict between longing for an adventure and the comfort found in a familiar place. Illustrated in detail through a blend of harsh brap beats and a traditional punk chug, the catch 22 situation of homesickness and yearning for the road is not an uncommon dilemma amongst musicians, but is also uncommon amongst the many fans that dream of a larger life than they currently live, making the subject of the album incredibly relatable.

Looking deeper into the individual song content, the subjects of missing friends, meeting trouble on the road, pubescent memories and growing ever restless rise to the surface. Not only are these messages expressed very well throughout the eleven songs, but the collection of tasty guitar solos (which are still slightly alien within a pop-punk genre), also take away the upbeat atmosphere for a few moments to replace it with a touch of venom, that brings the subject matter back into perspective (as well as metaphorically forcing a back and forth motion in the neck area).

The track ‘Sight for Sore Eyes’ stands out as the ‘working man’s song’. Speaking about different hardships through various walks of life, it appeals to incite the masses and tell them to hang in there and not to ‘let the bastards drag you down’. Unfortunately, the subject of surviving everyday turmoil within the lives of the working class seems to have been so meticulously overused in the last decade or so, it has lost a lot of its lustre.

‘The Santa Margarita’ however, tackles a similar topic but in a more subtle manner. Taking its title from a seventeenth century Spanish ship which sank after a hurricane, the fast and energetic rhythm surrounds the concept to ‘fight the urge to let the waves wash us away’. A clever metaphor which illustrates the undeniable fact that life is difficult, and can be quite daunting to most. The repetitive mentioning of alcohol also suggests the many different distractions (constructive and destructive) that aid the public in their own way.

With an unconventional three guitar setup, and a front man who owns his own uniquely peculiar but human singing voice, the quintet’s new album offers not only an exciting array of powerful songs, but also reminds their audience that they are just as human as they are.

To find out more about Versus The World click here.

To visit the Versus The World Facebook page click here.

Words by Nathan Roach

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