REVIEW: Gottlieb - The Far Fallen Fruit
- Hannah Martin
- 4 minutes ago
- 3 min read
There’s something unique about The Far Fallen Fruit, the first studio release from the American hardcore band GOTTLIEB. It manages to feel comfortable within traditional hardcore punk, reminiscent of bands like REFUSED, while also diving into the depths of post-punk emotion. The album successfully conveys both styles and combines them into a new, unique listening experience. But it isn’t just a good listen, it’s highly political and doesn’t shy away from showing us the harsh truth of our current world.
Pipe Bomb, the album opener, shows us exactly what we can expect from The Far Fallen Fruit. A melodic post-punk riff introduces the album, while the vocals perfectly embody the hardcore punk style. It’s a straightforward punk song and an aggressive statement against guns and gun violence. While the song structure is kept simple, the post-punk elements bring in a uniqueness that hardcore punk songs usually wouldn’t have.
This straightforward punk energy doesn’t disappear in the next tracks either. What Are You Worth presents another simple song elevated by strong post-punk influences, expressed through a catchy and melodic guitar riff. Following that is American Blood, truly a gem on this album. As the name suggests, it’s a critique of the current state of the United States. It’s a beautifully constructed, high-energy track that combines a catchy riff with repetitive but powerful vocals. This intensity is broken up by a bridge that emphasizes both the guitar and vocals, giving us one of the only real breaks on this otherwise high-energy album.
The two-part sequence Dogs begins with Joy to Distract from Resistance, which we would describe as the slowest and calmest track on the record. It serves as a great build up, as the song picks up speed again in the chorus. The track feels emotional, conveyed through Andrew’s harsh vocals. The second part comes across as much more aggressive, driven by a blast drum pattern. It’s underlined by a riff that again highlights post-punk influences, showcasing the volatility of GOTTLIEB. The title track, The Far Fallen Fruit, stands as the high point of the album, being the most energy-driven track.
City On A Hill and Optimized Child once again highlight the band’s energy. This blend of hardcore punk and post-punk influences feels refreshing and helps a straightforward punk album like The Far Fallen Fruit stand out from others.
I Started Carrying A Knife shows us another side of the band. The song feels ironic while maintaining its political tone. The guitar riff introduces a slightly different style, moving a bit away from their usual hardcore and post-punk influences. It almost leans into alternative rock, without losing its punk roots.
Their latest single release, White Vans, is another heavier, more hardcore-driven track on the album. Written in response to ICE activity in their neighbourhood, it reflects the brutal reality of what is happening in the United States today. However, this brutality can also lead to unity and collective resistance. The song captures this reality, with erratic guitars and harsh vocals guiding us through a story of police brutality and community resistance.
Sugar Packets ends the album just as perfectly as Pipe Bomb opened it. The song begins with a build up and a continuous guitar riff, gradually increasing in aggression in both vocals and instrumentation. Eventually, it transitions into a more traditional punk track, almost reminiscent of bands like PENNYWISE. It feels hopeful, underlined by some of the best guitar work on the album, making it a perfect closing track.
The Far Fallen Fruit is a political response to the current state of the world, taking punk and reshaping it into something fresh and revitalized. It’s a brilliant debut album, entirely self-produced, that brings the relatively new punk band GOTTLIEB into the spotlight.
Score: 8/10
The Far Fallen Fruit will be released on 1st May 2026 via Quiet Panic Records.
Words: Hannah Martin
Photos: Gottlieb
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