Released a year prior to All Killer, No Filler, the Canadian Pop Punkers debuted with this mini album, Half Hour Of Power. Its another suitable title to represent what awaits as the blaze though eleven fast and furious chops of bright, melodic, teenage Punk. Interspersed with brief stints from other genres, the group gather some distinction. Opening with Grab The Devil By The Horns, the original working of Pain For Pleasure, they may mislead with classic Heavy Metal leads, screams and riffs deployed as weapons of choice for the opening act. Its this metallic inclination that crops up again with spouts of aggression heard on T.H.T and Ride The Chariot To The Devil.
With a fun and goofy pivot, each of the lads showcase their Beastie Boys imitation raps on What We're All About. Its upbeat, tongue in cheek and a great laugh however Second Chance For Max Headroom's doesn't yield the same. Pivoting away from its dexterous, metallic, melodic leads that blaze away with pace, the switch into Ska as trumpets arrive on a new groove, was certainly less desirable. Its probably the one blemish were thees guys excel at having tremendous fun with their influence, which they put front and center.
Otherwise its mostly straight Pop Punk with great upbeat vibes. The lyrics release youthful grievances and teenage troubles against the backdrop of fast tempered drum grooves and power chord strumming. Most these songs could be interchanged onto All Killer, No Filler. Summer being the one song that made it over and I wouldn't say its the best on the record. Makes No Difference feels like single material, capturing that energy of Fat Lip and In Too Deep. The difference is the recording fidelity. This was obviously recorded on a lower budget yet the music overpowers as its thirty minutes are a blast!
Rating: 6/10