Review Summary: After the party and on to the next.
Since the death of pop punk in the early 2000s with the release of Blink-182’s
self titled, or arguably Green Day’s somewhat politically charged
American Idiot, punk music and its sub genres had made little creative progress in the 21st century, outside of post-punk creeping it’s way into the indie rock resurgence. It became worryingly apparent that Against Me!’s debut album was to be the last hurrah for the recognisable punk sound. That was until The Gaslight Anthem hit it big with
Sink or Swim and
The 59 Sound. Combining folk, blues and heartland rock wrapped in punk, the horizons for the genre were broadened and I argue no band capitalised on this more so than The Menzingers. While their first two albums saw some success and praise (
Chamberlain Waits is a damn fine album),
On The Impossible Past is where they hit the sweet spot. Smashing together various sub genres of punk sprinkled with country and folk, the easy on the ears appeal of the afore mentioned Blink-182 and Green Day, and the maturity one might find from a prime Clash or Springsteen record. This all lead to perhaps the most consistently compelling release from the genre of the decade. Five years on The Menzingers come through with their most defiant, reflective and confident release yet with
After The Party.
On their Fifth LP, Americana is softly nudged closer to the spotlight but not to the point where it is overbearing or drowns out the bands other influences. It is noticeably present in the opening track "Tellin’ Lies", which takes a nonchalant approach to the uncertainty of becoming an adult. Ruminating on reckless distractions that they can participate in to distract from impending reality, the track takes a turn in the final third when the devil-may-care sensibility morphs into desperate pleas and comforting lies. The juxtaposition in the climax elevates the song to become one of the many highlights of the record. One of the most attractive features the band posseses is their collective ability to craft the most irristibale hooks imaginable, to the point where i’m convinced all four members swing in their sleep. This is exceptionally demonstrated in the singles "Lookers" and "Bad Catholics". The latter possesses the most recognisable Menzinger sound, though it's considerably more optimistic and playful than anything found on previous releases. Refrains like “Bad Catholics, weren’t we, darling?” are delivered with a smirk. It’s nostalgic without sounding defeated, fondly reminiscent as opposed to the painful recollection ever present in
On The Impossible Past or the desperate wanting of another reality in
Rented World. The biggest departure among the consistently strong 13 track list comes in the form of the punk country hymn "Black Mass." Sparse comforting percussion gently holds the listener's hand, while the twanging guitars add very welcomed personality to the mix until a pipe organ rears it’s head to ever so slightly to whisper a goodbye. It’s not the only track to contain gospel influence, but is easily the most apparent.
There’s an almost pitiful refusal involved in the narrative to allow the party to stop or at the very least host another, akin to a middle aged alcoholic drinking himself stupid every night trapped in the memories of his 20s. Though it’s also a testament to an admirable rebellion to society's expectations of acting responsibly once one hits a certain age. What separates it from previous explorations is that it deals with the subject matter more realistically and dynamically thanks to a heaping dose of self awareness. The denial to conform is the seed that birthed punk but
After The Party does not look down upon those who do not take part in careless behavioural hijinks, it acknowledges that said hijinks are ones’ way of coping with living. To not have this innate compulsion to adhere to the status quo is portrayed as a curse more than a blessing, but one that is worn brazenly. To reject the death of punk music is punk in itself, but while in the hands of the Menzingers I think it’ll do just fine.
