Rock band Badflower excels at emotional honesty. Lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and songwriter Josh Katz pens each track from a visceral place. His lyrics are raw and vulnerable — like an open wound. In that, he’s one of the most relatable writers in the genre.
Perhaps the best quality of his lyricism is its bluntness. Sure, he’s no stranger to incorporating metaphors and flowery language, but many Badflower tunes are quite straightforward. Their latest offering, No Place Like Home, is no exception.
(There’s) No Place Like Home
Right out of the gate, the album kickstarts the proceedings with its titular track, which infuses a fun The Wizard of Oz soundbite and lyrical nods to the classic film. “Tap my heels,” “flying monkeys,” “wicked witches of the west,” and “Toto, run” are just a few thematic flourishes that lend themselves to this feeling of nostalgia — a desire to return to a better time.
Compositionally, “No Place Like Home” is different than anything Badflower has done before. The heavy guitars, riffs, and the arrangement, even down to how the aforementioned pop culture reference ties into the song thematically, scratches a very specific creative itch in my brain.
Different Sounds, Same Badflower
No Place Like Home sees Badflower move away from the band’s signature heavy sound and embrace musical versatility. It’s a showcase of what they’re truly capable of. However, lyrically, it’s very much the same irreverent, in-your-face, occasionally darkly humorous writing to which we’ve grown accustomed. Let’s be real: depressed people are the funniest people, and I say that as a depressed person.
Great examples of Badflower retaining the sound that made them a hit are tracks like “Haunting You.” It’s classic Badflower, perhaps a spiritual successor to “Ghost.” Thrashing guitars, thumping basslines, and a propulsive drum make this headbang-worthy.
“Paws” is also classic Badflower. It’s particularly resonant as an animal lover. I’d argue that, lyrics-wise, this is some of Josh’s most personal work yet. Musically, it’s more simplistic, but this allows the deeply vulnerable lyrics the platform to shine. They take center stage. “Don’t Be a Stranger” is another prime example of Josh’s knack for fluid, impactful storytelling.
Pushing the Envelope
There are plenty of tunes on No Place Like Home that push musical boundaries, like its title song. “Story of Our Lives” boasts a catchy guitar throughline and a sound reminiscent of 2000s alternative rock. “Snuff” embraces that same sound, albeit it’s a bit more musically polished (and less chaotic) for my taste, given the edgy, quirky lyrics.
“Swinging Hammer” is a punk/Southern garage rock fusion — a frenetic burst of music that’s undoubtedly dance-worthy. It’s a new sound for Badflower. Lyrically, though, it’s as weird and wild as you’d expect.
“Number 1” gives very Santana/’90s rock vibes, especially in that opening. Josh delivers a delightful vocal performance in a piece that showcases his adeptness at creative lyricism. The composition is different, but fun, serving as a cheeky deconstruction of the state of the music industry.
“Let Me Get Something Off My Chest” evokes a Blink-182 punk feel. This is a song perfect for screaming to. Its dark humor is Josh’s trademark style, and it works well here.
Softer Approach
No Place Like Home adopts a softer approach in certain tracks. For the most part, Badflower’s albums have been consistently hard rock. However, tunes like “London” present a bouncier, poppier arrangement. It provides more levity, serving as a break from the heavier themes explored in this album.
“Detroit,” another single, is also a softer track for the band. “What’s The Point” offers a slower tempo opening with a strong piano line before gradually building to heavy guitars. While this formula isn’t super innovative, it works thematically. Again, as a depressed person, who hasn’t related to asking themselves what’s the point of getting better if the world perpetually sucks?
“Butterfly” is an intriguing choice for a closing track. We start the album with an inventive rock sound and end with an acoustic and string composition. Badflower is no stranger to ballads. This song is also the only one without electric guitars.
Like “Paws,” this simpler, more orchestral feel allows for Josh’s writing to be the focal point. “I wasn’t able to see myself through better eyes before I went blind” packs quite the emotional punch.
Requires Repeat Listenings for True Appreciation
Interestingly, I find the non-single tracks on No Place Like Home — save “Paws” and “Haunting You” — more compelling. Ultimately, Badflower’s latest requires repeat listenings to truly appreciate it. At face value, it might feel like the band has shifted too far away from its familiar sound.
However, there’s still much to love about No Place Like Home, and if you think about it, variety is the spice of life. This musical variety ensures that the album is more universally appealing. There’s something for everyone. And really, as long as Josh continues to write profound, truthful, painfully funny lyrics, Badflower will still be Badflower.
No Place Like Home is streaming wherever you get your music.
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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine, she’s the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she’s a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.