Source: Album artwork
Punk rock is not always about revolution. Punk rock is not always about burning flags and smashing the system. Sometimes it can just be about life, where the old “four chords and the truth” means the truth about life, whether that be the singer’s, or just life on this planet as a human being. Enter, The Menzingers.
Now on their fifth album, The Menzingers have attracted an underground following that cannot remain underground after hearing this record. When White Crosses by Against Me! surfaced, they were catapulted into recognition just off the strength of their songwriting, and After The Party is in a very similar vein. To refer back to the previous paragraph, where White Crosses focused on politics, After The Party focuses more on the old “growing old but not growing up” conundrum; think The Wonder Years‘ The Greatest Generation if it had been written by Against Me! but with a bit less melancholy and a bit more alcohol.
After The Party is a whiskey-soaked, beer-can-smashing punk rock record with catchy melodies hanging off of it like clothes on a line. It’s made for singing drunkenly with your friends, singing at the top of your voice when you’re home alone or blasting at full volume when you’re driving in the summer with the windows down. It’s reflective and deeply personal, while still being relatable and able to be enjoyed by anyone who likes the sound of a guitar and a voice. Even the most stalwart hater of rock music would be hard-pushed to deny that Greg Barnett‘s delivery is so uniquely weathered that these songs, which would have been great even in the hands of another vocalist, are made all the better by being sung by a man who’s voice is so distinct and above all so believable.
It’s going to take a very special year for this to not be in our albums of the year in December. You can bet your bottom dollar that when the summer rolls around, The Menzingers are going to be first on our playlist of tunes for the sun.
