Halfway Down – Buried
Halfway Down’s “Buried” represents the raw, high-energy nature of early 2000s pop-punk, quickly bringing to mind bands like Blink-182 with its lightning-fast, driving sound. This St. Paul-based group adds a vintage DIY attitude to the mix, creating a sound that is both nostalgic. The song begins with an explosion of fast-paced punk grooves and distorted guitars, carrying the genre’s unique mixture of teenage rage and melodic music. The production approach is largely focused on a loud, in-your-face look, which, although thrilling, may be dominant at times. A better balanced audio mix may allow details to come through more clearly, particularly the interaction of the rough guitars, strong vocals, and underlying melodic elements. However, this rough-around-the-edges style contributes to the attractiveness by reflecting the raw energy that differentiates pop-punk. One of the track’s standout features is its catchy, pop-inspired chorus, which is mainstream enough to be enjoyable to non-Punk audiences but maintains its edge. The refrain offers a distinct contrast to the raw force, showing the band’s dimension to integrate melody into its punk foundation. The shocking surprise occurs at 3:02. Just when you think “Buried” is about to finish, it breaks into an outstanding neoclassical-inspired string arrangement, providing a moment of meditation in the middle of pandemonium. It’s a risky approach that provides variety to the music, raising it above just punk anthem status.
