The Wonder Years - The Upsides (No Sleep)
For those of you who are unfamiliar with The Wonder Years, don't come into this review expecting to read about an outdated television show. The now 5 dudes from the Keystone state, The Wonder Years have been putting out music and touring the world relentlessly the last few years and their sophomore album The Upsides is going to take over the pop punk world. Most bands hype new releases by saying that their upcoming release is more mature, and where that is usually untrue, The Upsides is the exception. The album is full of uplifting lyrics that will keep any posi kid singing along with vocalist Dan "Soupy" Campbell. whose vocals have improved tenfold since Get Stoked On It. The lyrics are much more personal with the Upsides, but Soupy still is able to throw in some humor on current situations (fist pumping and sexting). One thing listeners will notice is that the album lacks the keyboards that we're prevalent on the debut Get Stoked On It (keyboardist Mike Kelly left the band before recording), but don't worry, the musicianship is so tight on The Upsides that you really don't miss them. The band also cut out the breakdowns, but the fast paced guitar work of Matt and Casey will still leave listeners chugging along with the record. The Upsides features a ton of the bands friends, starting with Rachel Minton (Zolof The Rock & Roll Destroyer) on the track “Hey Thanks” which is a duet that brings trombones and a ukulele into the mix, along with Shane Henderson (Valencia), Nick Bruzzese (Man Overboard), Dave Mackinder (Fireworks), Matty Arsenault (A Loss For Words), and Jamie Rhoden (Title Fight) all singing the line “I’m not sad anymore/I’m just tired of this place/And if this year would just end/I think we’d all be okay” on the album closer All My Friends Are In Bar Bands. With crystal clear production and a ridiculous amount of catchy, The Upsides is an early leader to be amongst the 2010 Best Of... lists at the end of the year and will be on rotation for quite some time. The Wonder Years aren’t sad anymore, and you won’t be either after taking a listen to The Upsides.
Nick Zimmer