The Upsides
Hopeless Records
Pop-punk. Is that a dirty phrase? I’m almost loathed to even use it in this review but it’s kind of difficult to avoid with The Wonder Years. There is a clear leaning towards that world in the band’s music. But the band draw upon the influences associated with pop-punk in the very best possible way. They’ve brought the genre bang up to date with an album that unsurprisingly focuses on the upsides in life. The band members have had some bad luck along the way but they haven’t let this get them down and seem to have channeled all frustrations into one of the feel good albums of the year.
What makes The Wonder Years stand head and shoulders above many of their peers is the care they’ve clearly taken to avoid making a one dimensional record. Sure, it’s melody-driven, there are gang vocals, singalong moments and punky drumbeats, but that’s not all there is to it. The gentler approach on ‘Hey Thanks’ sees vocalist Soupy picking up the ukulele and also features female vocals. The Wonder Years’ approach is refreshingly honest. They’re clearly not trying to be anything they’re not. And it just so happens that what they are is a group of people with something to say, great melodies and the ability to craft one hell of a singalong.
Chirps Galore
You can stream ‘The Upsides‘ in its entirety over at the band’s Purevolume page.