{^Catalyst} doesn't quite graduate {$New Found Glory} from the {\punk-pop} rungs. From its main aesthetic thrust to the pristine mixing and production, this is a slick and durable {@Drive-Thru} missive, micro-tweaked for maximum {~Warped Tour} ROI. Still, the guys in {$NFG} have been at this a while, so a little exploration is not only understandable, it's expected. To that end, {^Catalyst}'s East Coast {\hardcore} kickoff is welcome. Even if it's more of a genre exercise than an actual song, {&"Intro"} illustrates the band's desire to grow within its influences, as do cuts like {&"All Downhill from Here,"} which suggests the literate tack of {$the Alkaline Trio}, or {&"Truth of My Youth"} and {&"Failure's Not Flattering,"} where the rousing melodic jaunt of {$the Get Up Kids} seems to be the model. (That group's {$James Dewees} even contributes some fizzy synthesizer to {&"Flattering."}) As studio budgets grow, so does the scope of an album's requisite power {\ballad}, and {^Catalyst} is no different. Violins and violas chirp urgently in the background of {&"I Don't Wanna Know,"} and late-'90s {~Lillith Fair} hopeful {$Kendall Payne} resurfaces with a gorgeous supporting vocal turn behind {$NFG} frogman {$Jordan Pundik}. It's a great track, despite limiting lyrics ("I never cared how I dressed before/But I cared that night") of the sort that plague {^Catalyst}'s entirety. Elsewhere, beyond the occasional flirtation with drum programming, more piano, and the irresistible {\new wave} influence in late-album standout {&"No News Is Good News,"} {$New Found Glory} stay with their old standby blend of catchy {\punk-pop} inflected with chunkhead {\metal}. Highlights include {&"This Disaster"} and {&"Doubt Full"}; best is the absolutely unstoppable revivalist romp {&"Your Biggest Mistake,"} which should rule the half-pipe hi-fi until Hurley's fall line comes out. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide