Whippersnapper – The Long Walk – Review

Whippersnapper

The Long Walk (Lobster)
by Tim Den

Wow. I hope this is where the future of pop-punk is headed. If not, at least we have Whippersnapper to rejuvenate what’s left of our faith. Just when all hope seemed lost, what with all the pop-punk bands suddenly eager to be “emotional” (read: shitty melodies played too slow), this quintet from Georgia comes out with a sophomore effort that’d make Lagwagon jealous. The Long Walk is the bastard child of …And Justice for All‘s technicality, Bad Religion’s best vocal lines, Mock Orange’s dizzying tempo tricks, the brightest pop choruses, and lyrics that’ll inspire letters reading “you saved my life” from teenage fans. A tasty platter of originality, served on a familiar bed of fast beats and pop-punk riffing, if you will. Since the greats of the ’80s pretty much covered all the political angles and the beauty of playing from the heart (if not from the brains), what’s the use of regurgitating it? Whippersnapper reflects the times in both their complicated playing and down-to-Earth, everyday-kid lyrics. They’re proof that some of the new generation of punks are taking it to the next level by making themselves better musicians, better songwriters, and more aware of the pressures surrounding kids their age. This, perhaps, is the purpose of new school punk: to understand what it means to be the children of a wealthy and safe era, understanding its evils and rebelling against them. I can quote this record all day long: “push our way past anger into something new and honest… find your own voice, sing your own song;” “there’s a strength in survival, say yourself this soft recital… revolution is from the inside out;” “…the hopeless days are gone… take this life and make the most of it… this is your life. You can accept it or change it;” “the reason to live is the reason to question why. Keep fighting, keep thinking; life will go on. I know how it feels when you think you’re the only one.” Hallelujah, my brothers. The new kings have arrived.
(www.lobsterrecords.com)