The Wonder Years - The upsides

2009 has been a great year for pop-punk. It may not seem obvious when you look at my top of 2009 but this year has seen the emergence of a quite substantial scene made of bands and fans willing to bring back pop-punk to what it used to be. Even if many of those bands' records disappointed me, their intentions can be praised. No Sleep Records is one of those labels that are "keeping it real" and this record is in line with this movement I was talking about.

So, 'The upsides' is the second full-length from Philadelphia pop-punk band The Wonder Years. Don't make the mistake I made in letting the cover and the 15 first seconds of this record give you a bad idea of it. Or maybe, do so. It will feel even better afterwards. 'The upsides' is a great pop-punk record. The Wonder Years have abandoned their hardcore-ish sound (and not replaced their former keyboardist, which in the end really is a good thing) to focus on the pop side and I won't blame them for this decision as few of today's bands can be closer to New Found Glory's goodness than they are. Not that this record is an easy collection of simple anthems, though. It will take you some time to really get in it. There's no real hit on 'The upsides'. Which doesn't mean it is not catchy, as the very Fireworks-like 'Logan Circle' quickly proves. The five-piece have written subtle melodies, differently structured songs and even tried new instrumentions. The short 'Hey thanks' is a sweet pop nugget featuring Zolof The Rock & Roll Destroyer's Rachel Minton, a ukulele and horns. Yes, I did think of never shout never. during the first listens but then it went away because it actually works. The soaring hooks and memorable lines The Wonder Years have compiled on twelve songs will stay in your head for days, from the amazing end of 'My last semester' to the guitar-driven 'Melrose diner'. There is a bit of a slowdown at the half of the album ('It's never sunny in Philadelphia'/'Hostels & brothels') and the few parts of softer vocals, in contrast with the great dynamic singing provided by Dan Campbell all throughout, are dispensable. But overall, 'The upsides' keeps the same constant energy all along its 40-ish minutes (high-five to drummer Mike Kennedy who is on fire for just as long), with peaks on the fast 'Everything I own fits in this backpack' (featuring the only screams of the album), the nearly one-minute long 'Dynamite shovel' and 'Washington square park' with its Four Year Strong feeling in the guitars.
But what got me in this record is its lyrical guiding thread. There's a whole story behind it that makes it moving and meaningful. It starts with the statement "I'm not sad anymore / I'm just tired of this place" which comes back as a motto all throughout the album. This record was going to be about giving up. Singer Dan "Soupy" Campbell wrote most of the lyrics on his bike at a time when him and his bandmates were feeling more miserable than they should but the lyrical backbone of the album changed when he saw, one morning, the fountains turned back on in his city, sign that the winter was over and spring was here (which he explains on the standout track 'Logan Circle'). They realised being sad at 23 wasn't much of a life and decided to make this record hopeful. Hence the title and the overly positive lyrics. Sure, you will find classical pop-punk themes like being pissed at your ex-girlfriend ('Melrose diner') and your whole hometown ('My last semester') or being in a band on the road with your "bros" wearing flannel shirts ('New Year's with Carl Weathers'), but there's more than this. It is not that surprising that The Wonder Years are praised for writing lyrics fans can easily relate to. Topics of not fitting ('My last semester', 'This party sucks') and willing to move ('Everything I own fits in this backpack', 'It's never sunny in South Philadelphia') are constantly brought up with a sincerity and a realism that makes them easy to appropriate. It's nothing new or outstanding, but I personnally adhered to the boys' story.

Alternative Press said several years ago that Set Your Goals sounded like New Found Glory after eight cans of Red Bull. Well, The Wonder Years sound like The Starting Line after eight cups of coffee. They have this more emotional side (and the singers' voices aren't that different) that makes their fast pop-punk smart and sincere. They've matured a lot too, both musically and lyrically (just look at the titles of their old songs...). 'The upsides' is an overly positive and honest record, perfect to start the new year full of good resolutions.

4/5

Recommanded if you like:
New Found Glory, The Starting Line, Fireworks
Check also:
Man Overboard, All Or Nothing, Living With Lions

www.myspace.com/thewonderyearspa
(No Sleep Records, 2010)