New in the KUCI Punk Library | 9/24/18
3 October 2018 Featured Music Reviews New Releases
Joyce Manor – Million Dollars To Kill Me – (Epitaph Records)
Joyce Manor is a Punk Rock/Emo band from Torrance, CA. Their highly anticipated new album entitled Million Dollars To Kill Me, which is the band’s third full length release to be put out by Epitaph Records (as well as their fifth full length release overall), is a really awesome record that can be characterized by its upbeat drumming, catchy guitar hooks, poppy vocal melodies, and emotionally charged lyrics. With that being said, the sounds heard on this album can be compared to those heard from some of the other more well-known Punk Rock/Emo bands on the scene today such as: Lemuria, Tigers Jaw, The Front Bottoms, Toys That Kill, and Jeff Rosenstock. Tracks to definitely check out on this record include: “Fighting Kangaroo,” “Think I’m Still In Love With You,” “Million Dollars To Kill Me,” “Silly Games,” and “Friends We Met Online.”
The Story So Far – Proper Dose – (Pure Noise Records)
The Story So Far is a Pop Punk band from Walnut Creek, CA. Their highly anticipated new album entitled Proper Dose, which is the band’s fourth full length release to be put out by Pure Noise Records (as well as their first new release in over three years), is a really awesome record that can be characterized by its upbeat drumming, catchy guitar hooks, angst filled vocals, and emotionally charged lyrics. With that being said, the sounds heard on this album can be compared to those heard from some of the other more well-known Pop Punk bands on the scene today such as: Neck Deep, The Wonder Years, Real Friends, State Champs, Knuckle Puck, and Movements. Tracks to definitely check out on this record include: “Keep This Up,” “Out Of It,” “Take Me As You Please,” “Let It Go,” and “Upside Down.”
Smoking Popes – Into The Agony – (Asian Man Records)
The Smoking Popes are a legendary Pop Punk band from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, IL. Their soon to be released new album entitled Into The Agony, which is the band’s second full length release to be put out by Asian Man Records (as well as their first new release in over seven years), is a really awesome record that can be characterized by its upbeat drumming, catchy guitar hooks, poppy vocal melodies, and emotionally charged lyrics. With that being said, the sounds heard on this album can be compared to those heard from a few other more well-known Punk Rock/Pop Punk bands of both the past and present such as: The Descendents, Weezer, Motion City Soundtrack, The Menzingers, Screeching Weasel, The Lawrence Arms, Against Me!, and Alkaline Trio. Tracks to definitely check out on this record include: “Simmer Down,” “Amanda My Love,” “When You Want Something,” “No More Tomorrow Tonight,” and “Little Lump Of Coal.”