Echo Scale rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.6/5)
Overhaul have been around long enough to know exactly who they are. Formed in 1997 and shaped by decades of touring, writing, and grinding through the ever shifting world of guitar music, they arrive with a clear identity that has never really wavered. Time Flies By is the sound of a veteran band leaning on experience rather than experimentation. It is confident in its roots, sure of its influences, and comfortable in its space. That stability becomes both the record’s greatest strength and its most limiting quality.
The band’s blend of grunge, alt rock, and classic rock influences is obvious from the first moments. Neil Young, Dinosaur Jr, Soul Asylum, Cheap Trick, and the early nineties guitar landscape all sit heavily in the album’s DNA. Overhaul make no attempt to hide that lineage. Instead, they embrace it fully, using it as the backbone of almost every track. For listeners who grew up with that sound, the familiarity will feel warm and recognisable. For anyone hoping for something modern, challenging, or stylistically bold, the album offers very few surprises.
Time Flies By opens with I Don’t Think You Know Me, a track that carries a solid rock and roll feel built on a driving wall of sound. It is well played, tightly produced, and structured to set the tone. Yet as an opener it does not fully captivate. It establishes the record’s shape but never quite lifts beyond it. That becomes a recurring theme throughout the album. The songs work. The performances are steady. The production is strong. But the spark that might move the record from dependable to compelling is rarely present.
This is where the veteran angle becomes most apparent. Overhaul feel every bit the seasoned band they are. Time Flies By carries the confidence of musicians who have been doing this for decades, but it also shows a band that has settled comfortably into its lane. They know their sound, they trust their formula, and they rarely step outside it. That experience gives the album stability and craft, yet it also makes the record feel cautious. Instead of pushing against their own edges or breaking new ground, Overhaul stay safely within familiar territory. The result is a solid but restrained listen, built by a band who clearly have the skill to go further but seem reluctant to take the risk.
This makes the album appealing for one audience in particular. Long term fans, the listeners who have followed Overhaul for years, will find exactly what they expect here. The tones, the pacing, and the writing style are all firmly rooted in what the band have always done. However, that same dependability becomes a barrier for new listeners. Although Time Flies By may satisfy loyal fans who already understand and appreciate Overhaul’s grounded style, it does very little to pull in a new generation. The album feels locked into a comfort zone, and while that familiarity is part of the band’s identity, it offers no real hook for those discovering them for the first time.
There are moments that stand out, even if they do not break the mould. My Brighter Day, inspired by a simple view from a Paris hotel window, brings a welcome sense of uplift. It is one of the brighter highlights of the record, showcasing Andy Gallagher’s ability to draw creativity from small bursts of inspiration. The guest appearances from Dan Murphy, Astrid Young, Jeff Worley, and Trace Foster add subtle flavour rather than dominating the record, reminding listeners of the connections and history Overhaul have built across their long career.
Kevin Hare’s production keeps everything grounded and consistent. The guitars sit full and warm, the vocals remain central, and the record has a clear live band feel. Nothing feels over produced or artificially polished. At the same time, the consistent mid tempo pacing and similar tonal palette across the tracklist create a sense of repetition. The record moves in a straight line from start to finish. It works as a steady listen but does not generate many moments of genuine lift or intensity.
Still, there is something admirable about a band that stays true to what they are. Time Flies By is not trying to compete with modern trends or reinvent the band’s direction. It is a continuation of a long running story, crafted by musicians who are comfortable in their own skin. There is value in that, even if it limits the record’s reach.
For existing fans, this album will land exactly where it is meant to. For newcomers, it may feel too static to spark deeper interest. Overhaul deliver a dependable and honest record, shaped by experience and held back by its reluctance to explore new territory.
Echo Scale rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.6/5)
