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Punk/Power Pop Review

Squarecrow – Rammi Jamms – Review

August 26, 2016

Squarecrow sounds focused and energized throughout Rammi Jamms, and they even throw in a snarled, skank-worthy take on The Smiths’ immortal “Bigmouth Strikes Again.”

The Hollowpoints – Rocket To Rainier – Review

October 30, 2015

When I think of this record I think of an “energetic blast of melodic punk.” Reading those words back, the phrase “energetic blast” seems more fitting for a new Mountain Dew flavor than a record, but hey, it really fits here for The Hollowpoints.

Senses Fail / Man Overboard – Split 7″

March 6, 2015

Post-hardcore vets Senses Fail and pop punk upstarts Man Overboard team up for this four-song EP, featuring a new song from both bands as well as each band covering one of the other’s choice cuts.

The Generators – Life Gives Life Takes – Review

May 30, 2014

Classic old school punk with a strong Bad Religion vibe. Considering The Generators have a 15+ year history, it’s no surprise that they create perfectly formed, impeccably molded songs like the ones on Life Gives, Life Takes, their 10th album.

Veara – Growing Up Is Killing Me – Review

April 1, 2014

Georgia’s Veara remind me of the glut of good-but-indestinguishable pop punk bands of the late ’90s. They have heart, they have skills, but they haven’t found their unique voice by their second album, and really, that’s ok.

The Marmozets – Review

January 9, 2014

This clunkily-named band has angsty roar, belted-out melodies, and some tenderness (watch for the knife beneath the pillow), slathered atop powerpop riffery and stick-twirling rock-a-rama drumming.

The Flatliners – Dead Language – Review

December 12, 2013

These Canadian punk rockers sound in fine form on their fourth album, Dead Language. Fans of (the dearly departed) The Distillers will definitely recognize that band’s trademark snarl and aggression on “Drown in Blood.”

Get Dead – Bad News – Review

November 25, 2013

Raspy-voiced bar room punk from San Francisco, Fat Wreck’s home base. “Welcome to Hell” combines horns, dark ska upstroke offset by punk charge, and enough blind-staggering to please Social D and Pogues fans.

Chixdiggit – Double Diggits – Review

August 20, 2013

Double Diggits combines Chixdiggit’s second and third albums: 1998’s Born on the First of July and 2000’s From Scene to Shining Scene, plus eight bonus tracks.

Masked Intruder – Review

July 30, 2013

Sure, it’s a novelty, and punk pop needs another gimmick like I need Frank’s Red Hot Sauce squirted in my eye, but this one’s worth the sting.

Less Than Jake – Greetings & Salutations – Review

July 29, 2013

Greetings & Salutations came out at the beginning of 2013, combining tour-only EPs Greetings from Less Than Jake (2011) and Seasons Greetings from Less Than Jake (2012), plus a pair of unreleased tracks, and a freshly sequenced track list to celebrate the band’s 20th anniversary.

Drug Church – Paul Walker – Review

July 19, 2013

The Albany punkers in Drug Church insist that their music should be used to help you “forget for a moment that you have eczema and work at Pizza Hut.” In truth, everyone should take notice of the righteous noise this band is kicking up on its debut full-length, regardless of employment status or skin condition.

After The Fall – Unkind – Review

July 3, 2013

After the Fall have pretty well nailed the rampaging punk stylings of the late ’90s. Like NOFX, but with less horns and songs about lesbians.

The Tossers – The Emerald City – Review

June 27, 2013

Seven full-lengths in 20 years, these Celtic punkers continue to deliver exactly what you want and expect, no surprises. Fun, energetic, trust-worthy, with tin whistles, fiddles, hearty sing-a-longs, and all the usual subjects, Emerald City doesn’t disappoint, nor break any new ground.

Bad Religion – True North – Review

June 25, 2013

30+ years and 16 albums in, you know what to expect, and Bad Religion doesn’t disappoint. Or deviate from the style they themselves created. Immaculate production, fast-paced, quality skate punkpop, layered whoa-ohs, and scathing cultural criticism, it’s all here in spades.

Paramore – Review

June 20, 2013

I’ve got a huge soft spot for Paramore’s unfailingly earnest and polished punk pop, and especially the incredible vocals of Hayley Williams. Not that it’s a pleasure to feel particularly guilty about, this is good stuff that hasn’t really changed as the band has grown in popularity, it’s just that the hate crew gets louder as time goes on.

Retox – YPLL – Review

May 28, 2013

Justin Pearson of The Locust returns with the kinda edgy shit people call art punk. You can love or loathe the long song titles and “yeah, I’m really well-read and smart’n’shit,” cuz if it’s about the music, howzabout we focus on that, hmmm?

The Bronx – IV – Review

March 15, 2013

Modern life is a real drag according to the The Bronx’s lyrics, but you wouldn’t know it from the kick-ass, muscled boogie-punk that these LA punkers jerk out. I guess that’s the limbo that they’re trying to get at: Times are shitty, but you’ve gotta try to put a happy spin on it, or else you’ll end up sticking your head in an oven.

Bad Brains – Into The Future – Review

February 20, 2013

30 years in, do you really expect Bad Brains to blow your mind? In the early ’80s, they raged through tunes, dropping jaws. In 2012, well, they have some new songs.

The Bronx – IV – Review

February 4, 2013

Modern life is a real drag according to the The Bronx’s lyrics, but you wouldn’t know it from the kick-ass, muscled boogie-punk that these LA punkers jerk out.

Aspiga – Every Last Piece – Review

January 22, 2013

Seven song debut from this New Jersey punk band. Inconsistent vocals (pop punk to emo – as in doesn’t hit the notes – to bad metal bark) but chunky bass, lively tempos, and some solid melodies and good breakdowns.

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