American Standard

The Classics (Maggadee)
by Tim Den

American Standard‘s been at it since ’86, which is probably why they sound more mature and at ease with their punk rock identities than most up-and-comers. Musically similar to Dag Nasty, The Tank, and Serpico (old school melodic punk), The New Classics carries an air of punk rock sophistication – been there, done that, do it better than you – that can’t be faked. It’s anthemic but not macho and knuckleheaded, it’s melodic but doesn’t sacrifice grit, it’s lessons well-learned from older brothers showing kids the ropes. A perfect mix of early melodicore’s optimism and veteran execution.
(PO Box 66 Hoboken, NJ 07030)