Rating: 8/10 

To many people grunge began in the late ‘80s and died within the mid-2000s, leaving behind a scene of small bands that grew very fast and left the rock scene even faster. For years followers of the genre have tried to revive it through their derivative music in hopes they can reach the same heights as bands such as Nirvana, Queens of The Stone Age, the Melvins, Green Day or My Chemical Romance. Sadly, for these groups, they always fall short of the expectations and even more into the endless sea of content known as the internet. 

Luckily, unlike their predecessors, the band Tink and The Lost Boys has come of age to revive this long-forgotten gem of the past. With their new music video for their single “The Box,” this band from Northville Michigan aims to please.

Tink and The Lost Boys is a rock quartet consisting of Jack Fulton (lead vocals), Johnny McCormick (guitar), Youssef Fadel (bass) and Draven Whitaker (drums). Each band member brings their own unique dynamic energy to this single. Their single addresses the complex topic of media overload and addiction using the box as a stand in for smartphones, tv, computers or any other form of digital media technology. 

Through the mix of the song and production the band delivers a powerful message of how empty technology is and how it damages so many of us. In an age of lightning-fast transmission, where nearly everyone carries a smart device with them, it serves as a reminder of the damages it can cause to us. 

The music video opens with a nice guitar arpeggio introduction from McCormick within a completely black frame. After a few measures in, Fulton enters the frame harshly lit with a split light from the side setting the mood of a dark emotional overtone. 

Soon it transitions to a loud and bashing sound combining heavy drums along with a thrashing distorted guitar set to some static background effects, cementing its ominous vibe. This theme continues for about half of the song until it makes a transition into a distorted guitar solo filled with just some ear shattering long notes for dramatic effect. This use of instrumentation is akin to the way Nine Inch Nails uses a combination of electronic sounds and rock instruments to create an impressive mood for listeners. 

While this sounds amazing, the underuse of the bass and space left in the song leaves for more creativity. While the message resonates, it almost feels as if the lyrics could use a little more tightening. Even though Fulton does deliver them emotionally, adding more weight to the themes, the real depth is more within the instrumentals.

The video is pretty nostalgic as it represents the typical music video of a grunge band, with contrasting parts through a fusion of the performance and their message. 

The camera operation is very clean and follows the action very nicely, capturing the isolated, depressing essence of their location. The transition cuts between shots flow nicely keeping viewers anticipating what happens next.

The prop design for their physical manifestation of “The Box” enriches the scenes and really makes for a nice aesthetic choice. The characters and band members come alive and feel larger than life with their expressions and actions. 

Overall “The Box” is exceptional and just might be what they need in order to grow their band and create bigger and better things. Though there are some shortcomings, the creativity definitely shines through and revamps the grunge punk rock approach that they were going for. 

The band isn’t going to fall through the cracks, but rise from the ashes to create something beautiful and hopefully within more time people can expect more to come from this band. 

For more information on Tink and The Lost Boys check out their socials on Spotify, Instagram, Facebook, Apple Music, YouTube and Tiktok.

https://linktr.ee/tinkandthelostboys