More Punk than you can handle

POP PUNK Pop-punk is definitely the smoothest sounding of all the punk subgenres. It combines the quick-paced steady rhythm of punk with the power chords and slick vocals that are staples of pop music. The result is a contagiously catchy sound, often overused to the point of infamy. Yet even within these narrow confines there is room for differences. The best pop-punk bands build on the basics as a foundation to give the genre a little twist, whether it is the addition of an instrument or a distinctive vocal lilt or guitar strum. Motion City Soundtrack, whose sophomore effort Commit This to Memory is due out June 7, create a distinctive retro-dance vibe with the inclusion of a Moog synthesizer in their lineup. Their upcoming album is frighteningly easy to both sing and dance along with, though it still contains the frantically snarky guitar typical of most pop-punk releases. The Moog synthesizer adds an equally frenzied melody line which attempts to keep pace with lyrics that sound like a free word association exercise. But this doesn't mean every band needs extra instruments to be good. In fact, straight-up classic pop-punk is at times some of the best around. Such is the case with Goldfinger. With six albums under their belt during their 11 years of existence, they could almost be considered part of the founding fathers of pop-punk. Their latest album Disconnection Notice is an example of classic pop-infused punk at its finest. The rhythm keeps a pulsating pace that snakes in between the pounding power chords. Horns and the occasional slower, ska-influenced songs keep the album from becoming monotonous. The overall result is a light album that although not entirely new and innovative is still highly enjoyable. Compared to the first two bands, Cartel is a relative unknown. Try saying that in a year though. Their debut EP, The Ransom, is an explosion of pop-punk condensed into five frenetic songs. A combination of crunchy guitars, super-smooth vocals and killer harmonies creates songs that are almost unbearably catchy. And considering this is just their first release, who knows what's in store for their still-untitled debut full-length, slated for release later this year. HARDCORE The state of hardcore is looking up, and it’s time to join the pit with three bands you don't want to miss. Few bands carry the intensity and force of Winnipeg, Canada’s Comeback Kid, whose every song unleashes a potent kick to the eardrums. Since forming in 2002, the four-piece band has emerged as a frontrunner in today’s hardcore scene with an in-your-face sound reminiscent of hardcore punk icons Bane and Stretch Armstrong. Their second and latest masterpiece, Wake the Dead, expertly blends speedy guitars and sing-along choruses with just enough melody and punch to give their sound a mainstream appeal. Atlanta metalheads Norma Jean are best known for producing a brand of heavy, uninhibited noise—a trait particularly apparent on their latest record, O’ God The Aftermath. Through 11 dark, ominous and stylistic tracks, this record does away with hardcore’s clichéd song structure. The LP instead showcases the band’s trademark chaotic style and involved madness, which, while not for everybody, will surely draw praise from metal’s most devoted followers while potentially boosting the band into math-metal stardom. Led by the vocals of hardcore veteran Dan Yemin, Philadelphia’s Paint It Black is a staple of raw hardcore brutality. The band’s latest release, Paradise, follows in the vein of ’80s legends Black Flag and Minor Threat. An exercise in vicious, hard-line punk, the album uncharacteristically manages to incorporate doses of acoustic guitar on songs like “Melody” and “Ghost,” while somehow making it all sound completely natural for a punk record. The album is dark, heavy and definitely one hell of a slobberknocker that you don’t want to miss. SCREAMO It's not quite hardcore and definitely not pop. Typified by the melodic screeching vocals of a pubescent male lead, this emo-gone-badass style has proved itself a mainstay in the punk scene. So put away your tissue box and get pissed! My Chemical Romance released Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge last summer, but it is so damn good we wanted to make sure everyone knew about it. MCR's latest album tells the story of a man trying to bring his girlfriend back from the dead by collecting the souls of evildoers; it doesn't get more emo than that. Even with a top-40 single already under their belts courtesy of “I'm Not Okay,” the New Jersey band meshes about as well as the Ramones did, so if they manage to stay together look for them to be a continued force on the music scene. Emanuel’s intense screaming verses and sing-along pop choruses make these Louisville rockers define screamo. Wearing their sadly broken hearts on their sleeves, the lyrics on Soundtrack to a Headrush sound like they were taken from the journal of a self-destructive teenager. Mix those distinguishing marks with the smallest hint of grunge and metal and you can get an idea of the band's sound. While not strictly screamo-inspired, Smoke or Fire incorporates many of the sub-genre's aspects while staying true to the classic punk sound. Like the releases of their punk forefathers, most of the band’s tracks barely reach the two-minute mark, making this the perfect album for the attention-impaired. Citing influences like Against Me! and Strike Anywhere, Smoke or Fire has managed to create its own unique sound. The lyrics on Above the City vary from emotional outpourings to socially conscious rants. Because their sound has strayed less from classic punk than other screamo bands, these Beantown boys, as they describe themselves, “are far from the many pop-culture worshipping 'punk' dips***s.” CLASSIC PUNK Here’s to the bands who started it all and have continued to keep the musical tradition alive. Who knew that it would be possible to tell the entire story of one of the original punk bands in two hours? The Ramones’ DVD features interviews with each of the band members (Joey, Johnny, Tommy, Dee Dee, Marky, Richie and CJ) and many live performances replete with their haphazard song arrangements, the requisite “1, 2, 3, 4” from the bassist, Tommy's signature intense drum style and the group's repetitive lyrics. The story covers everything from their days in Forest Hills to the deaths of Joey and Dee Dee. Gain a true insider's perspective of each member's inner demons as you see their struggle through the eyes of friends and family. This is a necessity to any punk fan's DVD collection. Boston’s Dropkick Murphy’s are one of the few acts in today’s punk arena that can legitimately justify putting out a greatest hits album. Their latest release, The Singles Collection Volume 2 is just that: a collection of 23 previously unreleased tracks recorded live in concert, which capture the sing-along punk spirit that has earned the group unabashed praise and won over legions of fans since the band’s early days of playing basements back in 1996. California's premiere punks, Lagwagon, have been churning out loud, infectious punk rock since their humble beginnings in Santa Barbara 15 years ago. After seven albums marked by catchy choruses and rapid guitar rhythms, the band has compiled a seemingly endless repertoire of songs, 22 of which make up their latest musical adventure, Live In A Dive. While the album—their first live recording to date—won't break ground anytime soon, it certainly makes for an enjoyable, rollicking listen.