Jesusfreakhideout.com: Charming to the Last, "Stick The Landing" Review

JFH Indie Review

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Charming to the Last
Stick The Landing

Artist Info: Discography
Street Date: September 24, 2024
Style: Pop Punk / Rock
Official Site: CharmingtotheLastMusic.com
Buy It: AmazonMP3

Ben Bourque is back with another Charming to the Last release, but this time he's solo on the project. Stick the Landing is the newest full-length album, and although Ben is flying solo this time, the signature sound and blend of pop/punk, alternative, and indie rock is still here. The lyrics seem to either focus on dealing with anxiety and other struggles, or have a sense of nostalgia and looking back. It's an interesting dichotomy, and it's almost as if looking back on simpler times eases the anxious feelings and struggles of today.

The opening two tracks of the album speak of things like anxiety, needing peace, and spiraling in tough times. However, Ben gives credit to God in both songs proclaiming, "I'll give it up to You and let it go," in "Moments of Clarity," and "I've been beaten down to the ground. I feel like giving up, but then I listened to Your voice calling out to me," in "Stay This Strong." "Saving My Paper Route Money" is the most directly nostalgic as he flashes back to 6th grade in a fun look at life in middle school. It's a great song and one of my favorites released by the band to date. The next two tracks go back and forth between the established themes with "Here We Go" being an acoustic track about God leading us out of worry and stress, while "Kickflip Over the Gap" is far more pop/punk driven and goes back to the "good times" feel. "Noise and Shadows" and "As You Are" switch it back up again to struggles and hardships. In the bridge of "Noise and Shadows," Ben sings, "I need your strength, God, when I'm weak. It's all You, take the focus off of me. I need Your strength God, 'cause I'm weak…" "I've Scene This One Before" (an obvious Back to the Future reference) and "Where is My Hope?" focus on looking back. The former talks about not letting your life pass by and serves as an encouraging song coming from a place of personal experience. The latter has Ben looking back at this life writing music over the past twenty years and being thankful for the gifts given to him by God. "Slow Time Down" continues on this theme a little further, but from the view of a father in what is one of the most beautiful songs present. The album closes with a bonus track in "Losing Ourselves (2007 Revisted)." This earlier written song serves as a perfect closer to the album -- especially from a thematic point -- and talks about moving towards the future. The track closes with what appears to seems to be an original recording/demo of the song in what is a really nice touch.

Charming to the Last is a solo project this time around, but that doesn't mean the album suffers in any way at all. It's not meant as a knock to Alex or Christian at all, but Ben seems to be really dialed in on this release. It's musically cohesive and the back-and-forth of lyrical themes plays nicely. Stick the Landing is an absolutely fantastic album that should have pop punk fans stoked. There's a lot to love here. If you're already a fan of this band, then you've probably already heard this album. However, if you haven't given them a shot yet, THIS is the album to jump in with for sure. Charming to the Last seems to improve with every release and this newest album is no exception.

- Review date: 10/22/24, written by Michael Weaver of Jesusfreakhideout.com

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JFH Staff's Second Opinion

Charming to the Last has been a relatively quiet, but very enjoyable presence in the independent Christian rock scene since 2020. Stick the Landing is the third full-length from the act, and my personal favorite to date. The album balances a healthy nostalgia with the hope of Christ for our future (as they say in "Saving My Paper Route Money," "It can be fun looking back / just don't get stuck in the past / it all gets kind of blurry / and I need you here with me / we can't move ahead if we're lost in memories"). The whole album is a blast to listen to, providing the listener with some top notch pop punk and alt rock that brings to mind bands like Run Kid Run and Nevertheless. The album even gets a little grittier at times, with songs like "Noise and Shadows" and "I've Scene This One Before" featuring crunchier guitars and more of a punk attitude, a la The Offspring or MxPx. Charming to the Last has yet to disappoint, and Stick the Landing is no exception. If you've not yet had the pleasure of listening, take some time out of your day and get acquainted. - Review date: 9/25/24, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com

Record Label: None

Album length: 11 tracks: 35 minutes, 19 seconds

Street Date: August 20, 2024

Buy It: AmazonMP3

Moments of Clarity (3:02)
Stay This Strong (2:58)
Saving My Paper Route Money (3:33)
Here We Go (3:53)
Kickflip Over the Gap (3:31)
Noise and Shadows (2:58)
As You Are (3:26)
I've Scene This One Before (1:36)
Where Is My Hope? (3:27)
Slow Time Down (3:07)
Bonus: Losing Ourselves (2007 Revisited) (3:49)
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