Millencolin (should) need no introduction. Their back catalogue gave them an excellent reputation, and they have not failed to excel on their latest offering ‘Pennybridge pioneers’. I’ll understand if you go to the end and check out the score, as you’ve probably figured out what score it’ll get; but those of you who are either a) bored and have nothing better to do or b) too lazy to click/move your mouse or c) never heard millencolin – read on, enlightenment awaits!
As the opening drums smash into action in impressive style, along with the deceptively simple riff that manages to hold the song together so well, you begin to realize this is different and unique to not only the rest of millencolin‘s stuff but also to nearly all bands out there. This is for two reasons – firstly, they have lyrics that you will actually feel the need to sing along to; the lead’s vocals sound swedish, but still cool, and the lyrical content is meaningful instead of the roundabout-vague stuff you get from a lot of the bands; millencolin get straight to the point, straight away.
‘No cigar‘ is adrenalin charged millencolin, and its easy to see why it was picked to appear on THPS 2. Good stuff to stick on your walkman if you skate/ride, it’s followed by the too happy to be true ‘Fox’ an amusing tale of finding a bike and falling in love with it (there’s an obvious analogy, but i’ll let you work it out); it may well be scientifically impossible to not feel uplifted by the bouncy rhythm, and it becomes obvious, that yep, it is one hit after another.
It’s back to a faster pace for ‘Material boy’ which is a song to play for those who spend entire weeks shopping; any song that mentions faster fat cuban cigars gets my vote – ‘now i’m shopping, i’m not stopping, there’ll always be new stuff to buy, and i’ll expend my needs somewhow’ – which probably reminds you of someone you know. Following on, ‘Duckpond’ is a slightly more serious track about getting stuck in a town you want to get out of; it is a personal favourite, just because of the content and vocals, which are excellent.
As the CD continues, yet more standout songs rise above the rest (though all are songs which would find a place on any mix tape) – ‘Penguins and Polarbears’ being another highlight; Millencolin‘s trend of adding a little extra onto the chorus after the first time round is a nice progression in their songs, and works well here, as in ‘no cigar‘. I really can’t recommend this album enough, as it just keeps on maintaining the standard it set at the beginning. Ending song ‘The Ballad’ makes you think about that person in who you used to know in school that never said anything; some people find it funny, some people can’t help but feel sorry for the person in question; whichever, it’ll make you think. Anyway, this is another fantastic song that rounds off an album everyone should have nestled in their CD collection, whatever type of punk you’re into, because this has something for everyone. Except perhaps you space-melodic-emo-hardcore punkers out there. Er, yeah..
nick