{"id":34139,"date":"2012-04-09T11:02:00","date_gmt":"2012-04-09T11:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/album-review-the-menzingers-on-the-impossible\/"},"modified":"2024-10-13T00:11:30","modified_gmt":"2024-10-12T23:11:30","slug":"album-review-the-menzingers-on-the-impossible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/album-review-the-menzingers-on-the-impossible\/","title":{"rendered":"Album Review: The Menzingers – On The Impossible Past"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"If there is one thing Philadelphia\u2019s The Menzingers<\/strong><\/a> know about, it\u2019s writing honest punk rock songs and their Epitaph debut; \u2018On The Impossible\u00a0<\/em>Past \u2019<\/em> is<\/span>\u00a0no different. It\u2019s a record that is filled with self-reflective lyrics and nostalgia delivered with an Americana tone.<\/p>\n

From the opening moments of ‘Good Things,\u2019<\/em> Tom May declares \u201cI\u2019ve bee having a horrible time, pulling myself together\u201d<\/em> and with that you\u2019re hooked by the band’s intriguing and engaging lyrics. The band’s bold punk rock energy shines through from the start. It\u2019s this energy that gives ‘On The Impossible Past\u2019<\/em> consistency.<\/p>\n

From the plucky ‘Burn After Writing\u2019<\/em> to the rousing cries of \u201cI will fuck this up\u201d<\/em> on ‘The Obituaries\u2019<\/em> to the introspective, laid-back approach on ‘Sculptors And Vandals,<\/em>\u2019 the band’s relentless confidence and energy remains intact.<\/p>\n

Another appreciative attribute of this record is that the Scranton-based quartet aren\u2019t afraid to slow down the tempo and try something different. ‘Ava House\u2019<\/em> is a pumping, roaring, Against Me!-like punk rock number with burst guitars and soaring, raw vocals, whilst ‘Gates\u2019<\/em> is more steady, with pleasing guitars complementing Gregg Barnett\u2019s vocals.<\/p>\n

The title track itself is an intriguing affair, light, laid-back guitars softly drift along serving as a background to Barnett\u2019s nostalgic tale of \u201chaving nice things\u201d<\/em> before bursting into life with well-paced drums and striking guitars making the track (slightly) echoing The Gaslight Anthem.<\/p>\n

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 Menzinger<\/strong>s certainly make their mark and form their own identity.<\/p>\n

With a new label and a well-rounded, consistent record in ‘On The Impossible Past,\u2019<\/em> The Menzingers<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

5\/5<\/p>\n