Posted by Brett Praskach - 11/04/11 at 03:11:08 pm

With two EPs in the bag, Pinsky are kicking down the door with the release of their first full length, Losing Touch. The band has taken decades of pop-punk, emo, and indie as a solid foundation, and built something of their own atop of it. While the result isn’t anything mind blowingly new or unheard of, it’s solid and honest, and definitely merits plenty of attention.

The title track kicks things off, and immediately immerses listeners in a sound that’s anything but stagnant. Moving melodies and driving rhythms reminiscent of Twin Atlantic fill the space with sound and energy that carry throughout almost the entire album. Layered vocals with contributions from three different members of the band also add a lot of texture to the band’s sound; the vocals are one of the album’s strongest factors. Every line is honest, both in lyrics and delivery. “Hesitation” creates a basis of cascading guitars, then falls into moving chords and the stand out line, “I never thought you’d understand / It doesn’t mean I’ll always be alone.” Far from polished, the vocals are rough and real, but still on key. Fans of The Get Up Kids will feel a similar vibe throughout Losing Touch.

Much of the album blends seamlessly, creating the sense that the tracks are all part of a greater whole. It’s a bold move for a debut album, but Pinsky pull it off surpassingly well. Common themes throughout the album – growing up, drinking too much (or maybe barely enough), and striving to hold onto something simple – help to cement the album into a cohesive piece. “By Your Side” brings these ideas to the forefront: “I don’t require much, just alcohol and sun / …I’ve got nothing to offer but charm, an empty wallet and my drunken friends.” The lyrics are straightforward, and make for one of the album’s strongest tracks.

“The Ocean” slows things down without giving up and of the band’s energy, ebbing like the tide and building back to a strong and sudden end. Losing Touch wraps up with “States”, an upbeat track with a bittersweet sentiment of striving to balance old friendships with growing up that fits right into the album’s concept of striving not to lose touch. From start to finish, the album captures this idea flawlessly and wraps it up into a neat little package that goes down easy. Pinsky may be a young band, but they’re headed out to set themselves apart. Losing Touch lays the groundwork for what promises to be a successful run.

You can grab Losing Touch digitally at Amazon for only 5 bucks.