Waterparks - Double Dare

"Double Dare" is the debut album by Houston, Texas punk rockers Waterparks. Released in 2016 this is kind of a flashback review. But since I only just got into them this year (2018) it's kind of not a flashback review. Even though this is their debut they have been around since 2011 and have released a string of EPs.

This album as you would expect is predominatly pop/punk rock. I would say on the whole it's a nice listen but I think that's as far as I would go with it. I would say their follow up album "Entertainment" is far better and a far more varied album. Which is good in a way as it shows that band is progressing. It would have been interesting if I got into this album before "Entertainment" to see if I liked it anymore than I do at the moment. Tracks such as "Stupid for you" and "Take her to the moon" are a bit too cheesy for me. "Royale" and "Made in America" I like a bit better.  To me it feels like the better tracks are actually towards the end of the album with "21 questions", "It follows" and "I'll Always be around" being my favourite tracks off the album.

The one song on this album which I keep coming back to and is easily my most listened to track of 2018 is "21 questions". I am not exageratting when I say this is probably in my top 10 tracks of all time now by any artist. The only reason I say "probably" is because I've never actually sat down to make the list........yet. When I first heard this track on You tube I thought this was a nice acoustic track and then of course when the drums build in about three quarters in and then the song just explodes for the remaining quarter, it's just mesmorising.  The changes in pace throughout the track and Knights singing is brilliant. I love the way he goes "T.....T.... Time". When you listen to the track you will know what I mean. I skip to this track so often in this album that I do wonder if its the reason I'm not as into the rest of the album. Kind of like in Toronto where you have got the CN tower dominiating the skyline and you don't really pay attention to anything else.

Overall I would say this is a good effort for a debut album. Although it's not one I would go back and listen to regularly. I think you can guess there is one track I'll be going back to listen to a lot more. "Entertainment" for me is a far better album.  If you're new to Waterparks maybe check out this album first to see if you like it, as I think I would've appreciated this album more if I listened this before "Entertainment".