Revisiting something I felt I looked over previously. A lot of my fellow beardpunks adore this record, so I feel like I've missed something here.

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Direct Hit! - Brainless God (2013)
Niche: Pop Punk, Punk Rock, Melodic Hardcore
Location: Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Fun. What can be said about fun and the having of it? Can fun be described? Can fun be shown or displayed by art? Maybe so, but certainly it can be relayed sonically. From the start to the very end, this record is just a blast. I recall memories of being in sweaty crowds watching small bands with the members spread out among the audience moshing along with us, underage drinking in people's houses, running down the streets of downtown acting like a retard. The sort of self and society deprecating, yet life-affirming lyrics and sound of pop punk are what draws me so much to the genre. It's painfully direct when it needs to be about subjects, yet reeks of immaturity and endless party.

More than anything, this record just begs me to get up and do something. It urges me to get the **** out of my dingy bedroom and out doing things. It wants to be a leading hand out to life, it wants me to enjoy every moment I'm given and love life.

But there's a certain appeal and aesthetic to doing nothing too I spose. Wish my best friend actually wanted to hang out with me.

7/10

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Bad Astronaut - Houston, We Have a Drinking Problem (2002)
Niche: Pop Punk, Emo-Pop, Indie Rock
Location: Santa Barbara, California, United States

Oh man, this **** brings me back. Being 10 years old in the suburbs, riding around on bikes and being ignorant about everything. Just pure nostalgia to the world around me I knew it as then. Back then, just everything was interesting. Small details in architecture and scenery still trigger off memories of my childhood. It's amazing how differently we see the world as kids, I wish I could live in that era forever, just laying in the grass and staring up at the clouds, not caring about anyone or anything around me.

Sonically, this is straight early 2000's suburban American Emo-Pop, with more leanings on indie rock and power pop. Most songs feature piano, and the vocals are laid down by Joey Cape from Lagwagon. It's a pretty decent record, and if you wanna feel nostalgia for days watching Pixar movies in your underwear and playing basketball in your driveway, I think it's safe to say look no further than this album. I know plenty others do the job, and better (*cough* Your Favorite Weapon *cough*), but hey, any ounce of your younger years brought back should be relished.

7/10

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Saves the Day - Through Being Cool
Niche: Emo-Pop, Pop Punk, Power Pop
Location: Princeton, New Jersey, United States

Standard Emo-Pop fare. It's like a less focused Promise Ring, though it shines at moments. Just gimme my Allisters and my Jimmy Eat Worlds. This is kinda weak.

7/10

I had forgotten about this album for so long. Need to give it a spin again, it's definitely one of the strongest Joey Cape albums.

Glad I could remind you of it ;)

Cool. Check out Every Song by The Hated, it's early emo with some obvious jangle pop/college rock influences.

I'll be following this for recs.

Gotcha Briks.

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Jimmy Eat World - Static Prevails (1996)
Niche: Emo, Pop Punk, Alternative Rock, Post-Hardcore
Location: Mesa, Arizona, United States

I've had high expectations for this album over the years, from the awesome cover and promise of a more crunchier, post-hardcore focused Jimmy Eat World. All elements I enjoy of their sound on later songs like Crush, Bleed American, and Futures. What I got delivered somewhat, but was far from the Jimmy Eat World I knew. Adkins voice is deeper, the guitars and instrumentals don't carry the typical JEW sound, and it all goes into the band coming off less focused than I've ever heard them. However, the strength of some of the songs certainly makes up for it. The twinkly yet hard when it needs to be sound of the band is traded off for more standard Get Up Kids-esque material that's certainly becoming of the times it was released in. It's definitely a good release aside from what I was expecting.

8/10

I've been wondering, what's the album cover supposed to depict? ^

Recced by Qwertyy

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Pup - The Dream is Over (2016)
Niche: Pop Punk, Post-Hardcore, Indie Rock, Punk Rock
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Jeff Rosenstock meets Dillinger Four meets Wavves meets FIDLAR. (it's rad)

It bites when it needs to and provides the feels as well. Music for hanging out and underage drinking (and smoking) with fellow beardpunks.

9/10

Tried looking it up to no avail. It's pretty neat looking though.