I like it when bands mature, rather than spin their tires in the same musical donut for their entire career. On Always On, Gameface continues to show us the depth, breadth, and songwriting skill that they brandished on Every Last Time, while still infusing each track with the incendiary energy that typified their early releases. As on Every Last Time, the songs here are mostly more capital-R rock than punk, but melodic and catchy as hell. To wit: "Anyone Can Write A Song" both proves and refutes the track's title postulation by being a fairly straightforward lyrical piece that's wrapped around an über-pop arrangement that's sure to get stuck in your head for at least a week, more likely a month. Since Every Last Time, vocalist Jeff Caudill has brought his guitar skill to the 'face, and the band really does benefit from the layers and thickness that that extra guitar adds. Jeff also seems to be getting more comfortable with his singing, as well, as there's a new confidence felt here. And of course, Todd, Steve and Paul are...well, they're always on. (MHo)
(Revelation Records -- P.O. Box 5232, Huntington Beach, CA. 92615-5232; http://revelationrecords.com/; Gameface -- http://www.gameface.net/)