Saturday, June 11, 2011

The Wonder Years - Suburbia, I've Given You All And Now I'm Nothing

Bursting into the stratosphere with The Upsides just last year, The Wonder Years have become one of the new pop-punk sound bands that I really enjoy. Bringing a fun vibe with hardcore sensibilities, it's really difficult to not be affected or find enjoyment in this band at all. That sound has been altered on their new record, Suburbia, I've Given You All And Now I'm Nothing.

The Wonder Years - Suburbia, I've Given You All And Now I'm Nothing

Starting off on a sound clip, the album opener "Came Out Swinging", carries the torch that The Upsides carried before it. Bigger guitars and personal vocals propel this song to move and materialize through the breakdowns. This song is a great representation of what The Wonder Years has become. A dynamic enigma that isn't tied down by genres, but is still one of the best pop-punk bands out there. After the opener, there is "Woke Up Older", which on first listen doesn't seem like an important song, but upon second glances grows and becomes a song that you will inevitably listen to with the windows down this summer.

Next we have "Local Man Ruins Everything". This track is one of the most evident cases of the band maturing. Starting with bigger riffs and giant choruses, this hard hitting song has single-handedly takes us from "I'm not sad anymore" to "I'm just a fucked up kid", one of my favorites on the album. "Suburbia" is next and acts as an interlude, and comes off as a slower and more personable version of "Dynamite Shovel", which appeared on The Upsides. "My Life As A Pigeon" is another great track. At a point before the second chorus, frontman "Soupy" Campbell delivers a vicious verse about dealing with people. The entire song is an ode to self-sacrifice for the betterment of other people, which is played off all too well by the vocals.

"Summer In PA" isn't a fast paced, relentless punk attack, but has the makings for it in the guitars and drums. Instead the song stays at a steady chug, complimenting the subject matter of spending time with friends during late summer nights. Later in the song there is even a giant group vocal performance, bringing the "friend element" to a cemented position in the song. "I Won't Say The Lord's Prayer" is where the real change in the band can be heard. It starts off as a very slow and personal song with only occasional and short lived full band parts, but it grows into a full band confessional with full band dynamics. If the maturity of this band ever need to be traced, this would be put at the forefront. On the next track, "Coffee Eyes", is fast paced and heavy in the verses, but slows and becomes very melodic in the chorus, instead of having faster and heavy choruses like what has shown up on many other Wonder Years songs.

A swift change in mood occurs as soon as "I've Given You All" starts in with its acoustic guitars. Uncharacteristic war veteran references in the lyrics bring somewhat of a surreal feel to the sub-two minute track to people who are used to the older Wonder Years sound. "Don't Let Me Cave In" resurrects the mood from previous releases and brings the chugging rhythms that have made so many fans mosh before. The chorus feels like a sonic success story, with the lyrics complimenting that feeling. Following up is "You Made Me Want To Be A Saint", which fires on all cylinders for an entire minute-and-a-half. Rhythmic guitars, heavy drums, and chugging bass keeps this song flowing like a smooth locomotive. It's a heavy song but doesn't falter where big songs have previously been seen fallen apart.

"Hoodie Weather" comes off as a question to society and what has gotten so many people down. The feeling of being confined in the winter comes across loud and clear when this track is on play. With the power of the guitars, the vocals begin to build and start to sound as if they are asking for more people to sing along. Finishing off the album is "And Now I'm Nothing", a five minute adventure through everything that the band has touched on in their tenure. Without doubt, this is the Wonder Years song that you need to hear. Wrapping their entire history, growth, maturity, power, personality, and emotion together in a song that explodes with bass drums and power chords. Any triumphant comeback story could splice this track into the final montage. A wise man once said "It's not how you start, it's how you finish", you will be hard pressed to find a finer complimenting finish to a record than this one.

After first listen, I had my doubts about this record. I highly enjoyed The Upsides and the one-stop sound that the record had. On Suburbia, I've Given You All And Now I'm Nothing" the sound varies and becomes a much more dynamic album than anything this band has done before. In terms of Brand New, this record really is The Wonder Years' version of Deja Entendu and their time to become something more than just another band. This record proves the lasting value of The Wonder Years and abolishes the obstacles that have faced them. Start to finish this record is a success story in both spirit and stereo.

Recommended If You Like: Brand New - Deja Entendu, The Wonder Years - The Upsides, Set Your Goals - Mutiny

Verdict: 9.5 / 10

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

In Anticipation...

Sorry for the lack of reviews or articles recently, work has kept me busy. I do have a lot planned in the near future, including reviews of: Lady Gaga, Death Cab For Cutie, The Wonder Years, and Bayside. As well as an article documenting All Time Low. So a lot to look forward to and hopefully enough to keep you excited.

Thank you again for keeping tabs on the site and I'll reward you with more articles.