Dirtnap (2016)
I'm not sure exactly why, but I've never liked 12" EPs. I think it's mostly because it seems like a waste of vinyl. Why not do a 10"? I always thought that was the perfect platform for an EP that's too long to put on a 7". That's all just a personal preference and it has nothing to do with the actual Bad Sports songs on this EP.
I'm very guilty of being the guy that says things like, this is good, but I liked their last record better. I do that a lot. I think there is something hardwired into my brain that makes me have the most affection for the first album that gets me into a band. There are certainly exceptions to the rule, but in general, I tend to do this. And that is my big takeaway from this Bad Sports EP. It's good, I like some of the songs quite a bit, but I don't like it quite as much as previous records that the band put out.
The songs are still pretty catchy with some solid hooks, but they're not quite as in your face poppy as some of their older material. There's definitely a darker vibe going on here and from time to time the band is pulled into territory I would associate with another Dirtnap band, The Estranged. All in all, it's still a good EP. Without comparisons to their earlier records I would probably be into it more, but that's my burden.
Bad Sports - Living With Secrets 12":
