Punk/Power Pop Review | Lollipop Magazine

The Used – Vulnerable – Review

April 15, 2012

These Utah rockers have sold millions and amassed a loyal following. They put a twist on their traditionally heavy sound with dub reggae on “Hands and Faces.”

The Troubled Three – Moving On – Review

April 15, 2012

The blasting horns, sweet shimmy, and undeniable swing of these tracks should get you prepped for the band’s legendary live show.

No Trigger – Tycoon – Review

April 15, 2012

This Worcester, MA-based band is prone to frequent hiatuses, so get on board with these righteous rally calls while they’re still active.

Joyce Manor – Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired – Review

April 15, 2012

“I feel violent all the time inside of me,” rages Joyce Manor on “Violent Inside.” It doesn’t get much more honest than these 90 seconds of pure emotion.

Dead To Me – Moscow Penny Ante – Review

April 15, 2012

San Francisco’s Dead To Me display shades of the UK band Consumed on the hard-driving “Undertow.” That kind of burly, forceful punk is always OK in our book.

Dangerous – Teenage Rampage – Review

April 15, 2012

Aussie quartet Dangerous! bring some screamo to the rock sound of their debut, Teenage Rampage. Mixed by Ulrich Wild (Deftones, Pantera).

Cobra Skulls – Agitations – Review

April 15, 2012

Many a marriage has been shattered on the rocks of Reno, so while you’re there, you might as well hear some good punk rock, like the Cobra Skulls.

Banner Pilot – Heart Beats Pacific – Review

April 15, 2012

“And I know when you’re living under sheets of snow/ it can look like the world’s gone black/ but remember that the sun comes back/ At least they say it does.”

Dan Vapid And The Cheats – Review

April 15, 2012

These Chicago punk/power poppers aren’t shy about their Ramones love on their self-titled album. Featuring Dan Vapid of Screeching Weasel fame.

Anti-Flag – The General Strike – Review

April 15, 2012

True blooded punkers Anti-Flag have married intense, melodic punk rock with their deeply held political views for more than two decades.

About The Mess – Anthem of Imperfection – Review

April 15, 2012

Glorious late ’90s pop punk goodness, complete with whoa whoas, songs about drinking, and drumming to get your ass moving.

All Else Fails – Ruins Punk for Everyone – Review

April 15, 2012

Rumor is, while on tour, the singer’s laptop got stolen with all these music files. But rough mixes were found of these favorite punk covers.

Hit The Lights – Invictus – Review

February 10, 2012

Everything is an anthem on Invictus, the third full-length from Hit The Lights. That’s not really true, but it often feels that way.

The Regime – Review

September 2, 2011

Dual singers, so you get a more mainstream rock vox on one hand, and a tougher voice on the other. You also get a fusillade of sound and fury.

Blitzkid – Apparitional – Review

June 10, 2011

Described as “horror punk,” Blitzkid’s no-frills, strictly traditional melodic punk is an overabundance of gang choruses, chants, and galloping drums.

Dwarves – Born Again – Review

June 1, 2011

18 new songs to fingerfuck your eardrums, from harmonized rampage to doo-wop teenage thrills. Only Blag is getting a handjob under the counter at the malt shop.

Killed by the Bull – Failing is Fun – Review

June 1, 2010

Seemingly influenced by hardcore punk and comic books equally, Killed by the Bull play fast, menacing punk with tongues planted firmly in cheek.

Strung Out – Agents of The Underground – Review

April 1, 2010

While many ’90s pop punk bands went acoustic, Strung Out still layer the harmonies thick, play fast and tight, and the breakdowns come right on time.

The Casualties – We Are All We Have – Review

March 1, 2010

Hardcore punk/street punk, gruff and shredded-vocaled, rampaging and political. Anthemic hoo-ra, produced by Bill and Jason at The Blasting Room.

Big D and the Kid’s Table – Fluent in Stroll – Review

January 1, 2010

A genre-jumpin’ band with horns and hop. It’s all for the good of the party music. Most is finger-snapping butt-wiggle so the girls can dance the night away.

Chaser – The Big Picture – Review

January 1, 2010

Quick melodic punk pop, totally mid-’90s, with harmonies and whoa-whoas stacked to the ceiling, and a singer who sounds shy and gentle.

The Workhorse III – Review

November 1, 2009

Hey, are you a fan of LisaChristSuperstar, Limecell, or Bad Luck 13? Ex-members of those bands just formed a band called The Workhorse III!

Zero Boys – History Of – Review

June 1, 2009

The Zero Boys were a got-damn fantastic punk band from the second generation nation, after the mid/late ’70s shit hit the (few) fans and the dis-ease spread.

Millencolin – Machine 15 – Review

May 1, 2009

They craft good songs, many of which sound dated, some of which transcend style and can simply be heard as well-written songs. Timeless, catchy, and meaningful.

Killing California – Goin’ South – Review

February 1, 2009

Straight-forward bar punk. Like street punk, but more bar room bad-ass rock’n’roll. Like the rockier bands on TKO or Disaster or punked-up Nashville Pussy.