Review: Man Overboard & Senses Fail - Split 7" EP

What do you get when you take one of the post-hardcore scene’s staple acts and have them work with one of pop-punk’s fastest rising bands? You get Senses Fail and Man Overboard’s brilliant new split, a four-song EP guaranteed to leave you feeling both nostalgic and impressed.
Starting off the EP is Man Overboard’s “One Fixed Point”, a track that blends the authentic pop-punk the band are known for while incorporating the occasional heavy element. It’s followed by their cover of Senses Fail’s “Cute When You Scream”, which is probably the release’s best showing. While it sounds quite similar to the original version, the band are able to give the track a rawness the original couldn’t quite harness, an element especially noticeable in the vocals.
Senses Fail bring in the second half of the EP with new track, “All You Need Is Already Within You”. Different from Man Overboard’s offerings, it’s a brilliant song, varying between quick-paced guitars and slow, heavy bass. Vocalist Buddy Nielsen’s screams sound better than ever, and the band overall are able to bring in an old-school post-hardcore vibe anyone can enjoy. Their cover of Man Overboard’s “Real Talk” closes out the split, managing to keep the overall realness of the original version while incorporating some post-hardcore elements that allow them to make the cover their own.
Overall, this split is a stellar one. Both the covers and the new singles showcase the best both bands have to offer and it’s easy to hear the respect each has for one another. Both Man Overboard and Senses Fail have created something special with this release and whoever decided to bring these two bands together deserves a pat on the back.
Download: Cute When You Scream (Man Overboard Cover)
4/5
