Album Reviews

Bitter Grounds is a Dutch band that likes to mix things up on “Hollowlands”, their debut full-length which is out now on Ring Of Fire Records, NextPunk Records and Granola Records. On it, they jump from punk to ska in a heartbeat, and throw in some reggae along the way just for the hell of it.

While there really isn’t anything bad to say about songs like the Rancid-esque “Human Touch” or the melodic punk of “Life Of Violence”, I would like to hear them switch gears within the same song as well. Now it’s either one or the other, which definitely isn’t bad, but it makes for a less cohesive album. They also still wear their influences on their sleeves, maybe a bit too much. But seeing as they only got together just last year, it’s also completely understandable.

In short, “Hollowlands” is a decent album that shows a band with more than enough skills, but also a band still looking for a sound that is all their own. Seeing as they managed to crank out a full-length with some solid tuneage in less than a year, I’m sure they will get there soon enough.  

Track listing:

1. Hollowlands
2. Struck Out
3. Tell Me Now
4. Life of Violence
5. Human Touch
6. Patience
7. Pressure
8. Fine, Alright
9. Dead in my Head
10. Breakdown
11. Trouble