Next week, The Wonder Years will release their new album The Greatest Generation.

The band was kind enough to put the whole album up for streaming early – and you can do so below.

PErsonally, I’ve never really been a *huge* fan of their music, although I appreciate most pop-punk. That said, The Greatest Generation is fantastic – their style of emotionally-tinged pop-punk with earnest lyrics hasn’t ever sounded THIS good. Give it a spin:

If you dig it, make sure to go buy a copy of the album from the band at their website.

– Cheese Sandwich

Album cover for Blink-182's sixth studio album

Opening with “Ghost on the Dance Floor,” Blink-182 gives us a preview of their new-fangled Killers-esque sound before DeLonge brings it back to the status quo with the lyrics, “I felt you here tonight, but dreams can’t all be real.” It’s the sort of melancholic sentiment that mirrors songs of their past, telling stories of rejection and inadequacy. The only difference on “Ghost on the Dance Floor” is that DeLonge and Hoppus don’t mention body parts or an intense sexual appetite. Like I said, maturity.

DeLonge performs on the Honda Civic Tour in September

Continuing with “Natives,” a song that pays homage to the sound of their debut, Cheshire Cat, Hoppus drones, “We’ll have the time of our lives, although we’re dying inside.” It is perhaps a subconscious acknowledgement of how the band operates. The first single from Neighborhoods, “Up All Night” (it’s just a coincidence that Will Arnett and Christina Applegate star in a sitcom of the same name), is actually one of the less enjoyable tracks on the album, sounding a bit too much like the unlikable fare that appeared on their self-titled album (released in 2003)–a collaborative effort that was largely responsible for sending the group on this epic “break” in the first place.

Same as ever.

Among one of the most notable songs is “Wishing Well,” which bears momentary resemblances to “Story of a Lonely Guy” from 2001′s lasciviously titled Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (you know, like “jack it,” as in masturbate, as in stroke your penis repeatedly). Anyway, there is also the shameless second single from the album, “After Midnight.” It is yet another song that proves Blink-182 will be living the same life as long as they can breathe/have at least one operational limb and orifice to drink with. On “After Midnight,” Hoppus sings unabashedly in the face of his lack of youth, “We’ll stagger home after midnight, we’ll fall apart on the weekend, these nights go on and on and on.”

"These nights go on and on and on."

Just as their past albums, Neighborhoods addresses the theme of how ephemeral love can be (most obviously on “Love is Dangerous”), driving home the point that, though the band may have been out of the game for almost a decade, it has not affected their lyrical allegiance to a topic they are adept at commenting on. And so, in a world that is ever-changing and increasingly more unpredictable, there is some comfort in knowing that the boys/occasional men of Blink-182 remain constant and steadfast in their style, with only minor modifications to be detected in the latest phase of their storied career.

For more on my unbridled devotion to the band that made my junior high years bearable, read this.

Mesa, Arizona’s hometown boys, Authority Zero, released their fourth studio album, Stories of Survival, on June 22nd. The disc, the band’s first on new label home Suburban Noize Records, is a lot of fun, but that’s hardly surprising. They’ve been pumping out energetic surf-rock-ska for about nine years now. Their previous two albums, Andiamo and 12:34, were solid, but this time around A Zero have really honed in on the best aspects of their sound.

They’ve always shown their appreciation for skate punk and ska in older albums, such as 2002′s debut record A Passage in Time, but never with results this consistent. The album’s first song, New Pollution, kicks things off in energetic fashion. Lead singer Jason DeVore’s unique voice has been one of A Zero’s most recognizable qualities in their career, and he sounds better than ever on this disc. A Zero’s live shows are always energetic affairs, and New Pollution is prime mosh pit fodder.

A Day to Remember is up next, fueled by high-energy punk guitar riffs and a pummeling drum beat delivered by Jim Wilcox. The song builds to one of A Zero’s customary sing-along choruses, complete with high-energy vocal chants and a powerful bridge accentuated by Jeremy Wood’s slick bassline that explodes back into the chorus. Anyone eager to see what Authority Zero is all about should start with this song.

Brick in the Wave is another highlight of the disc, with abrupt-style singing by DeVore set to choppy surf guitars and more group vocals. The group vocal aspect of Authority Zero really gives their songs a lot of energy, and they pull it off well.

Big Bad World slows things down a bit, and is hands-down my favorite track on Stories of Survival. Zach Vogel’s reggae-tinged guitar riff starts the song out before it morphs into an almost ska-tune (sans horns) with DeVore singing about the cruel hand of fate and how it deals some of us a rough card in our lives, while others are blessed with more fortunate situations. The song has an infectious quality to it, from its catchy riff and vocal chants to its memorable chorus. It’s really one of the best songs I’ve ever heard from Authority Zero, as it really shows them at their absolute best.

The energy is turned back up with Break the Mold and Crashland, the latter of which is another standout on the record. Starting with some radar feedback-y noise, DeVore sings over distorted guitar for a minute or so before the drums and bass kick in. The transition from the quiet beginning that builds to a punked-up aggressive burner makes Crashland another quality track, also one of the better A Zero songs I’ve heard. The bridge is also noteworthy, with some noodly guitars and DeVore leading the charge on more group chants and circle pit fun, until the melodic guitars and rhythm kick back in for the rest of the song. Awesome.

Liberateducation’s mash-up of punk power, frenetic guitar solo and reggae-ska bridge also made me want to strap on some Vans and get in the skank pit, but I somehow managed to resist the urge. Still, the song also provides one of the album’s strongest choruses, about surviving and rising above and being true to yourself (all topics of interest for Authority Zero over the years).

Shot I took back in June 2009

Movement echoes the vibes of Big Bad World, ska guitar riffs and an easy melody aided by DeVore’s resilient vocals. Lyrically it’s a bit repetitive, but the overall feel of the song makes it notable, as the instrumentation is really nice on the ears.

The Remedy and No Way Home close out the album, both high-energy affairs with the customary reggae-ska riffs and vocal chants (The Remedy) and fast-pounding drums and relentless, punch-you-in-the-face aggression (No Way Home). The last track, in particular, includes a guitar-driven bridge (with group chants) that caught me off guard and fits the song very well. It’s a great way to end the album on a high note.

In all, Stories of Survival is probably my second-favorite Authority Zero album (behind 2002’s A Passage in Time). They really brought their A game with this record, and it finds the band displaying their best qualities all around. Every aspect of their sound (ska guitars, punk aggression, powerful vocals) is the best it has ever sounded. Authority Zero has really captured the best essence of their live show and laid it all down in the studio.

I hope more people find out about this band now…if you haven’t heard of/seen them before, you have been missing out. Stories of Survival is primed to get Authority Zero some new attention and respect, and rightly so.

If you saw the video for One More Minute back in 2002 and wrote them off, didn’t pay attention past that 5 minutes, or walked by their set at Warped Tour, now’s your chance to get back on board. You’re welcome.