Have You Heard... Pool Kids’ ‘Easier Said Than Done’?

Album Art by Kristina Kulikova, Andy Anaya, Caden Clinton, Sarah Alvarez and Nick Nottebaum, kristynakulikova.com, Album art used in line with the Copyright Act 1968 - s41 Fair Dealing for Purpose of Criticism or Review

Background & Context

After browsing through various new releases for an album review this week, I’m stoked to say that the Pool Kids’ ‘Easier Said Than Done,’ bears the (totally super-prestigious) honour of being ‘have you heard?’s first-ever album review. To share some quick background info, I found out that the band is from Tallahassee, Florida in the United States, made up of members Christine Goodwyne (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Caden Clinton (drums), Andy Anaya (lead guitar), and Nicolette Alvarez (bass). Despite having never actually heard of this group before, it turns out ‘Easier Said Than Done’ is the Pool Kids’ third album overall, and first under a major label - Epitaph Records.

Highlights

This record blew me away, and I honestly had to pick my jaw up from the floor for a majority of the tracks that were featured throughout its 39 minute, 49 second runtime. Right from the offset, the first thing I noticed were the dark overtones that hung over this album, with remembrance, loss, and change all serving as major themes that are present throughout the album’s duration. Tracks like “Bad Bruise,” “Perfect View,” and the titular “Easier Said Than Done,” were the tracks that I felt were best representative of these themes, with each track containing lyricism that bears a rich sense of emotionality. Not only do these songs make you want to bang your head (with the exception of the slower, more ballad-y songs), but they’ll also have you doing so, balling your eyes out over feelings of lost nostalgia and lost connection. 

Stellar Production

I feel like Mike Vernon Davis really contributes to these feelings too, with his production serving to elevate a lot of these songs into that of massive soundscapes that immerse you in completely. Whether it was the heavy use of synths in the background of these tracks, or one of the many effects applied to the instruments used on these tracks (“Which is Worse” - 1:21, “Sorry, Not Sorry” - 2:40, you’ll thank me later), Vernon Davis really didn’t miss in giving this album a futuristic, all most new-wave flavour to the album, and that was something that really added to my overall enjoyment of the album. 

Musicality

That isn’t even mentioning the insane-degree of musicality that is shown by the Pool Kids on this album, either. Each member of the group really seems to for it on pretty much every track on ‘Easier Said Than Done,’ with my personal standouts coming in the form of tracks “Tinted Windows,” “Leona Street,” and (personal favourite) “Dani.” If you’re a fan of time, tempo and feel changes, see “Tinted Windows.” If you’re a fan of powerful, pop-punk-y riffs, reminiscent of the 2000s, see “Leona Street;” and if you’re a fan of all of those things, plus all-out musical insanity to go along with them, see “Dani.” 

In my humble opinion, it’s pretty hard not to have a good time with this album. You don’t have to consider yourself an emo, or fan of the math-rock/post-hardcore genres to enjoy this album, and I think that really speaks to the universal quality that ‘Easier Said Than Done’ has. After all, I definitely wasn’t and I had a great time. With all that being said, check out ‘Easier Said Than Done,’ the Pool Kids nailed it.