Rock band's newest venture
shows 'rebirth' of punk
By
Kyle Boggs
Summer Reporter
Commercially, punk rock is beginning to gain
recognition for the first time since the late '70s. For a band like
MXPX, who has been around for the past 10 years, some people are discovering
them for the first time.
Appropriately titled "The Renaissance EP," MXPX
seems to announce a "rebirth" in a new cult of fans and their constant
ability to produce inspirational punk rock anthems that never divulge
from their original styles.
Traditionally, punk rock began with bands like
The Sex Pistols and The Ramones whose lyrics revolve around themes
of oppression, disillusionment, chaos and thoughts of anarchy. MXPX
proves to be a great punk band, still motivated with the same emotions
and angst as their predecessors, but would rather motivate listeners
to always try their hardest, stand up for what they believe in, not
take anything from anybody and still have fun at the same time.
Though it's only an EP with nine songs and is
one of the band's shortest albums, it seems to cram every great aspect
of the band into the 18 minute long album. It's hard to compare it
to any of their other albums as styles from many of there past albums
are represented.
Harder and faster songs on the album such as
"Time Will Tell" and "Talk of the Town" are reminiscent of their first
album, "Pokinatcha.." Talk of the Town" even features the bands old
guitarist Andy Husted. "Time Will Tell" is a song that encourages
the rejection of failure. Its staccato vocals break up its chorus's
syllables at the beat of the drum yelling simultaneously "fail-ure,
confu-sion, an-ger, rev-ol-ution."
While some songs sound much like their older
stuff, more melodic, multi-tempo songs like "Lonesome Town," "Don't
Look Back," and sound very much like songs off their newer albums
like "Life in General" and "The Ever Passing Moment."
"The Opposite" is a radio friendly upbeat tune
that utilizes a lot of back up vocals with slower paced pop riffs
nostalgic of their album "Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo."
While MXPX seems to tread on encouraging themes,
they are also a band whom, like Blink 182, isn't afraid to be humorous
in their music. "Yuri Wakes up Screaming," is a fun song about the
drummer that repeatedly choruses the songs title and ends with "Yuri
needs a lot of sleep or he might die." "Party II (time to go)" is
a song that continuously bounces around the statement "all my favorite
movies have the coolest parties," and references the movie "The Cable
Guy"
Rumors told fans that the band has returned to
its roots with this album, but it’s actually a reflection of
the bands best work. "The Renaissance EP" is jam packed with catchy
songs that are best when played as loud as possible.
