The Menzingers “On the Impossible Past” review
The Menzingers
Greg Barnett – guitar/vocals
Tom May – guitar/vocals
Eric Keen – bass
Joe Godino – drums
review by Taylor Pesqueira
@Taylor_Sailor
Four men from Scranton, PA that have been active members of the punk scene since 2006. Touring with acts like Rise Against, Against Me, Title Fight, and Gaslight Anthem, The Menzginers have had an intense presence that can be heard through their albums and can be better demonstrated in their live performance.
Track List:
1. Good Things
2. Burn After Writing
3. The Obituaries
4. Gates
5. Ava House
6. Sun Hotel
7. Sculptors and Vandals
8. Mexican Guitars
9. On The Impossible Past
10. Nice Things
11. Casey
12. I Can’t Seem To Tell
13. Freedom Bridge
The Menzingers have one-upped themselves with every release, and after releasing Chamberlain Waits in 2010 it left people wanting more and wondering if they could top themselves again. On The Impossible Past is one of the most anticipated releases of 2012, and is The Menzingers third full length album and debut on Epitaph Records.
As soon as the first second of On The Impossible Past starts it immediatly grabs my attention. Good Things starts off so melodic, and I get a 90’s feel from it (which continues through the album), but before that thought even gets to settle in my mind Barnett’s voice erupts with his signature harmonious snarl and everything gets turned up to 11; great way to start the album and definitely sets the bar for what is still to come.
My Favorite song by far is Nice Things. the tone in the guitar hooks me in and caries the mood of the song perfectly. This song has a lot of life to it, and the music touches on different highs and lows of feelings. This song is like the mission statement of the album, it combines all of the elements that makes that “Menzingers” sound and displays it nicely in this one song; It has the guitar riffs, the intense vocals, the polished vocals, tight musicianship and everything else that makes them who they are. I also like that this song has a prelude to it (“On The Impossible Past”) that gives a little extra back story.
The flow of this album is very smooth, it hits effortlessly on every curve, point and turn without missing a beat. It has those ambiguous lyrics and melodies that become relatable to your own life experiences. At certain points it does become a little repetitive with lyrics (“The Obituaries” “Nice Things”) but I feel like somehow the repetition will translate well during their live show. Towards the end of On The Impossible Past it takes a break from the liveliness and slows it down a bit; giving it a little extra effort to get through. It wasn’t what I was expecting but it was a nice change that makes the lyrics and vocals stand out more, with the music giving them nice compliments.
Overall On The Impossible Past is a solid album that is a must own for this year in music. The Menzingers delivered on this release, and even though it is a step in a different direction it is a tasteful way for a band to progress in a new direction, giving the fans something new without doing a complete 180? on them, and a way for new fans to find something they enjoy, who can then back track their notable catalog. On The Impossible Past is already my favorite record of 2012 and I recommend everyone give it a good listen.
Tour dates:
w/ Captain We’re Sinking
Thu/Mar-22 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Roboto
Fri/Mar-23 – Lansing, MI – The Loft
W/ CHEAP GIRLS, THE SIDEKICKS
Sat/Mar-24 – Chicago, IL – Beat Kitchen
Sun/Mar-25 – Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock
Mon/Mar-26 – OFF –
Tue/Mar-27 – Denver, CO – Marquee
Wed/Mar-28 – Ogden, UT – Mojoes
Thu/Mar-29 – Boise, ID – The Red Room
Fri/Mar-30 – Portland, OR – Backspace
Sat/Mar-31 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
Sun/Apr-01 – OFF –
Mon/Apr-02 – San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill
Tue/Apr-03 – Ventura, CA – Billy O’s
Wed/Apr-04 – Long Beach, CA – Alex’s Bar
Thu/Apr-05 – TBD
Fri/Apr-06 – San Diego, CA – Che Café
Sat/Apr-07 – Mesa, AZ – The Underground
Sun/Apr-08 – OFF –
Mon/Apr-09 – Austin TX – Mohawk w/ Andrew Jackson Jihad, Joyce Manor
Tue/Apr-10 – San Antonio, TX – El Ten Eleven
Wed/Apr-11 – OFF –
Thu/Apr-12 – Orlando, FL – Will’s Pub
Fri/Apr-13 – Gainesville, FL – The Atlantic
Sat/Apr-14 – OFF –
Sun/Apr-15 – Richmond, VA – Stay Sweet Fest
Thu/Apr-19 – Scranton, PA – Redwoods w/ Tigers Jaw, The Front Bottoms, The Holy Mess, Luther
Fri/Apr-20 – Boston, MA – Middle East – Up w/ The Holy Mess, Luther, Choke Up
Sat/Apr-21 – Philly, PA – Road to Ruin
Sun/Apr-22 – Brooklyn NY – Knitting Factory w/ Tigers Jaw, Holy Mess, Luther +1 TBA
https://www.facebook.com/themenzingers
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About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
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