Much like their peers in Boston Manor, Trash Boat have long evolved from their youthful pop-punk days, graduating to something more diverse. Album number four, ‘Heaven Can Wait’, is a shapeshifting and dynamic collection that examines internal and external chaos and delusion.
The introductory duo of ‘Watching Heaven…’ and ‘Burn’ ignite with blaring guitars and penetrative drums as the St Albans quintet are the latest group to pay homage to Deftones stylistically. Yet its frontman Tobi Duncan who continues to be Trash Boat‘s lyrical drive. Having suffered long-term mental health issues in the three years since ‘Don’t You Feel Amazing?’, Duncan declares “I don’t wanna be here / Where? Anywhere” during ‘Burn’s opening lines.
His inner turmoil is scattered throughout ‘Heaven Can Wait’. ‘Better Than Yesterday’ leans into his contemplative mindset with an airy intro, before giving way to swirling guitars and “woah-ah” backing vocals, all the while he watches his “passion die”. Whereas ‘Break You’ strikingly exemplifies his internal angst, backed by siren guitars, rapid drums and chugging riffs.
He’s not afraid to pour out his angst at external causes too. From foreboding environmental catastrophe on ‘Are You Ready Now?’ to the venomous ‘Be Someone’ with its hefty swing at violent resolutions, with help from I Prevail’s Eric Vanlerberghe. Whereas ‘The Drip’ sees Duncan take on capitalism while admitting he’s selfish and “a prick”. ‘Liar Liar’ sees the intensity turned up a notch with its nursery rhyme opening being dominated by razor-sharp guitars and Duncan fires his lyrical malice at ‘podcast bro’ culture.
Undoubtedly, ‘Heaven Can Wait’ is threaded by a relentless lyrical fury that rarely lets up. It’s backed by a thoroughly bold and sonically rousing sound, yet isn’t consistently effective. The later offering ‘Delusions Of Grandeur’ is brash with an earworm melody of a chorus. However, after the likes of ‘Break You’ and ‘filthy/RIGHTEOUS’ serve up chaotic whirlwinds, ‘Delusions Of Grandeur’ shows signs of fatigue.
It’s somewhat difficult to position Trash Boat off the back of ‘Heaven Can Wait’. It certainly sees them return with a purpose and message, yet few moments hint of longevity. Duncan and his band have aspirations to sell out stadiums, yet you can’t imagine ‘Heaven Can Wait’ pointing them in that direction.
‘Heaven Can Wait’ by Trash Boat is out now on Hopeless Records.
