Lake Of Fat Kids - Cool Kids Can't Die

Lake Of Fat Kids

​Cool Kids Can't Die
self-released; 2017

​3.7 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Lake of Fat Kids is a pop punk band that formed in 2011 consisting of Joel Smith (vocals/guitar), Nick Stifle (guitar), Seth Cloe (bass) and Zachary Cole (drums). The band isn’t redefining the genre on their release Cool Kids Can't Die but they get almost as close as you can get to perfecting it. The production is top notch and the songwriting adheres to the criteria that is needed for the genre.

At eleven songs the album has a seamless flow. It doesn't drag from song to song and it felt like the band did a great job making a cohesive statement.

They open with a burner entitled “(Whatever's Clever)” that is running towards the gates. A distorted guitar and vocals are quickly joined by heavy hitting drums and bass. Infectious hooks follow from the guitar and vocals. 

The band delivers again with “Head To The Sandlot! (And Bring The Knives)” and “Last Goodbye” which are energy filled tunes that grab you from the beginning.  As the album progresses the energy is kept on that plane. There are some exceptions like at the beginning of “Hold Me Up, I'll Hold My Breath” which starts off sparse and with acoustic guitar. The band can't help themselves and gets driving soon.

Pop punk is a genre in general that appeals to a younger audience for reasons I won't go into. I’m in my mid 30’s now and feel like there are certain bands which pull off a broader age demographic. Something about Lake of Fat Kids didn’t make me feel like I was too old listening to this music and I trust there is some pop punk where I feel I need to be a teenager to really relate. I think a lot of it had to do with the vocalist but there were other aspects as well which made the music feel palatable to my ears.

This is case of a band that really has done their homework and works really well together as a band. Their music will not convert people who weren’t fans of the genre but it will surely be a welcome piece of music for people who already are fans of the genre.

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