Handguns - Don't Bite Your Tongue Review

It's usually a band's sophomore release that makes or breaks them. And while Handguns may only be releasing their second EP of seven songs, it's these tracks that will prove sink or swim for the Pennsylvania quartet.

What fans of Handguns will be looking for is consistency. The band's first release, Anywhere But Home, was a quick, but memorable slice of pop-punk that meant something. This was a record that reflected the do-it-yourself spirit of pop-punk. It was the self-released, living out of a van, type of music that was missing from the scene.

So, can Handguns' new EP, Don't Bite Your Tongue, live up to everything off their first release - without being a mirror image of the record? You bet it can.

One listen through the EP and it's clearly Handguns. Forget the frills and producer tricks. This is straight pop-punk courtesy of a guitar, bass and drum kit. It's a snare happy, palm muted ride reminiscent of early 2000s pop-punk. Fast, fun and catchy - what more could you want?

Pop-punk has always had a certain nostalgic effect to it. Songs about lost love and better times, old friends and wasted youth - these are the concepts that defined the movement at its roots. Handguns know this, and show it with ease on Don't Bite Your Tongue.

The song "I Hope He Kills You" starts with lead singer Taylor Eby exclaiming, "I'll pretend my heart's not breaking / It's taken everything I have not to call you back / And I hope he breaks you down / The next time you call, I won't be around."

Couple these heart crunching lyrics with Eby's matured vocal approach and an instrumental take that relies as much on bass as it does on guitar and drums, and what you have is one of the most well rounded songs on the EP.

The message of the record is clear. Where playing shows and the open road defined Anywhere But Home, raw energy and emotion define Don't Bite Your Tongue. This essentially makes for the most relatable and solid grouping of tracks Handguns have ever put out.

So sink or swim? Despite track three's title ("Sink Like Lead"), this release should please the masses. It's consistent with what fans are already accustomed to, but catchy and relatable enough to reach a whole new pop-punk fan base. This EP definitely does more than tread water. Swim, swim, swim.

Most Anticipated Albums Of 2011

Well, it's 2011 and the economy still sucks, Christopher Drew is still making music and Steve Carell is leaving "The Office," but it's not all bad. The new year is bringing plenty of fresh tunes to get stoked on. Wanna know the best? Then keep reading and check out Backstage Press' Most Anticipated Albums of 2011.

Bayside - Killing Time

Release: February 22nd

Bayside spent most of 2010 recording Killing Time, their fifth studio album. Having already released two singles, including "Sick, Sick, Sick" and "Already Gone" it's clear that the Long Island outfit are showing maturity in their sound. The songs are a natural progression from 2008's Shudder, but bring back the raw aggression and punk feel from their early work. This will certainly be the "can't miss" record of 2011.

Yellowcard - When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes

Release: March 22nd

It's been almost four years since we heard last heard from the Florida pop-rockers. But Yellowcard are back, and armed with a new record for your listening pleasure. When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes is creating quite a buzz online so far. And with the release of the album's first single, "For You, And Your Denial", Yellowcard are starting their climb to the top again. Look for this record to sell well this year.

D.R.U.G.S. - Abigail (Will Be Born With Four Friendly Eyes) **

Release : February 22nd

Craig Owens' newest supergroup are poised to be the reigning post-hardcore champs of 2011 with the release of their debut album. In the past few months, D.R.U.G.S. have released three songs off the record - "Sex Life", "If You Think This Song Is About You, It Probably Is" and "Mr. Owl Ate My Metal Worm". Each is seemingly as catchy as the next, and has led to an outpouring of support from fans nationwide. Plus, being a band comprised of members from other notable scene acts, it will be great to see whether or not this record holds up to the previous releases of each member.

Handguns - Don't Bite Your Tongue

Release: February 22nd

The Mid-Atlantic pop-punk quartet will be putting out their new EP, Don't Bite Your Tongue, on Pure Noise Records this year. The seven-song recording is their answer to 2010's Anywhere But Home - an album packed with as much honesty as you'd expect from The Wonder Years, and as memorable as the early work of The Starting Line. Handguns have released their first single off Don't Bite, "Scream Goodbye", which continues in ABH's footsteps of upbeat lyrics and catchy guitar riffs. If you miss when pop-punk was pop-punk, you're going to want to grab this record.

Rise Against - Endgame

Release: March 15th

Since we last heard from them on their 2010 DVD, Another Station, Another Mile, Chicago punks, Rise Against, have been hard at work on their sixth full-length album, Endgame. Recorded at The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado, the band invested in the help of Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore for producing efforts. Having released the song, "Help Is On The Way", it's clear that the band have not left their roots. The song, as it's anticipated the rest of the album will be, is politically charged and driven by issues of humanity. This record will not disappoint loyal fans, and is sure to turn a few new heads.

Taking Back Sunday - TBA

Release: TBA

Having just finished recording in December, Taking Back Sunday are putting the finishing touches on what will be their first release since 2009's New Again. They've gone back to the Tell All Your Friends-era band lineup, leading many to speculate that 2011's record will harken back to classic TBS both lyrically and musically. Late last year, TBS released a completed song with the working title, "Best Places To Be A Mom". Listen to it here, and check back for more info on the 2011 TBS release.

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A number of other bands will be releasing records or getting back into the studio this year. Check 'em below.

blink-182 - Currently in the studio

The Wonder Years - Currently in the studio; record release slated for summer 2011

The Get Up Kids - New album out 1/25

This Time Next Year - Currently in the studio with Chad Gilbert of NFG

Emery - New album out 3/22

Set Your Goals - Currently in the studio

Vanna - Currently in the studio

Dance Gavin Dance - New album out 3/8

** - No formal name has been given for this record. Various sites list it as Abigail, while others leave it untitled.

Handguns... For Kids

There's a lot more to the Vans Warped Tour than a parking lot full of tour busses, condom tents and a few headlining acts playing songs you heard last season on "The Hills." The backbone of Warped consists of all those hardworking and under appreciated bands that grind it out everyday in the sweltering summer heat.

Last week, at the Hartford stop of Warped, I had the chance to meet Jake Langley of the Pennsylvania pop-punk band, Handguns. It was a chance encounter. He stopped me because he liked my shirt. We started talking music, and he let me listen to his band.

Having no cash, I couldn't buy a copy. But Jake let it slide and gave me Handguns' EP, Anywhere But Home, free of charge... under the condition that I actually listen to it.

Well, the whole ride back to Boston was filled with what I found to be an amazing and fresh sounding slice of pop-punk. The key, as I've found, to Handguns is that they actually play punk music. Yes, it's pop, but it's still punk. Thank God.

Anywhere opens with the quick 1:23 song "My Own Captain" which could stand as the anthem for every do-it-yourself punk band out there today.

The seven song EP only picks up speed from there. "Harbor Water" is probably the catchiest of the lot. Plenty of crunchy guitar riffs, a steady bass line and a few gang vocals for good measure will have you singing, "Woah-oh-oh-oh!" over and over again.

The title track rounds out the EP nicely. Jumping on board with many of their contemporaries, "Anywhere But Home" is all about leaving that dead-end job for a life on the road. "I'd rather play three chords for three kids/than spend one more day there/complaining about my dead-end job not getting me anywhere"

But seriously, if you're a fan of bands like Four Year Strong, The Wonder Years, Man Overboard, ext, then you'll love Handguns.

Help these guys out! They're following the Warped Tour all summer (not playing it, following it) just to sell CDs and meet fans. Plus they're really nice, and the EP comes with a sticker reminding you not to grow up. What more could you ask for?