Album Review: The Menzingers - On The Impossible Past

Album Review: The Menzingers – On The Impossible Past

The Menzingers have delivered an appreciative collection of warming, passionate songs that quickly draw your attention

If there is one thing Philadelphia’s The Menzingers know about, it’s writing honest punk rock songs and their Epitaph debut; ‘On The Impossible Past ’ is no different. It’s a record that is filled with self-reflective lyrics and nostalgia delivered with an Americana tone.

From the opening moments of ‘Good Things,’ Tom May declares “I’ve bee having a horrible time, pulling myself together” and with that you’re hooked by the band’s intriguing and engaging lyrics. The band’s bold punk rock energy shines through from the start. It’s this energy that gives ‘On The Impossible Past’ consistency.

From the plucky ‘Burn After Writing’ to the rousing cries of “I will fuck this up” on ‘The Obituaries’ to the introspective, laid-back approach on ‘Sculptors And Vandals,’ the band’s relentless confidence and energy remains intact.

Another appreciative attribute of this record is that the Scranton-based quartet aren’t afraid to slow down the tempo and try something different. ‘Ava House’ is a pumping, roaring, Against Me!-like punk rock number with burst guitars and soaring, raw vocals, whilst ‘Gates’ is more steady, with pleasing guitars complementing Gregg Barnett’s vocals.

The title track itself is an intriguing affair, light, laid-back guitars softly drift along serving as a background to Barnett’s nostalgic tale of “having nice things” before bursting into life with well-paced drums and striking guitars making the track (slightly) echoing The Gaslight Anthem.

Even though there are moments where it seems like The Menzingers lack their own identity; throughout comparisons can be made to the likes of Alkaline Trio, Weezer, The Swellers, and The Pixies, The Menzingers certainly make their mark and form their own identity.

With a new label and a well-rounded, consistent record in ‘On The Impossible Past,’ The Menzingers have delivered an appreciative collection of warming, passionate songs that quickly draw your attention and are guaranteed to play over and over again in the coming months. An early contender for album of the year.

5/5