Comforting, predictable, fun... not words you'd necessarily associate with punk. But Popgun's brand of punk-pop is all of these things, and when I say 'predictable' I don't mean it disparagingly by any means. Rather, the eleven tracks on this, their second album, are predictable in the way The Ramones' work is predictable. There are no surprises, then, but that's not what they're about. Popgun promise punchy, guitar-driven power-pop that's bouncy and energetic, and that's what they deliver from start to finish.
The titles are brilliantly dumb and overtly punk, from the opener 'Fucked Up,' through 'All Messed Up,' 'Hey Dummy!' and 'Everything I Don't Like,' but it's nihilism with a grin. Upbeat and catchy as hell, Popgun's exuberance is infectious. Above all, 'Manic Anti-Depressive' is mentally unchallenging in the best possible way, and because of this, is a thoroughly enjoyable album.
|
|
