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(8/10) Another album from US punk legend Pennywise. Next to Bad Religion and NOFX the band from California probably belongs to the most important influencers for the punk rock scene in North America. Founded in 1988 they released quite some album so far. The newst record got the name "Yesterdays" and contains 11 punk rock song, reflecting the bands trademarks. It's the combination of the right-into-your-face punk, catchy melody lines and the intelligent lyrics, which makes the band in general standing out.
"Yesterdays" is an interesting album for different reasons. On the one hand it is seen as a new studio record. On the other hand the songs go back to the early days in the bands history, when Pennywise play backyard shows with the main ambition to play as mainy songs as possible before the police showed up.
The eleven songs on the album, with a playing time from around 30 minutes, are typical punk rock songs. They aren't very innovative, but highly entertaining. Time seems to fly while listening to the record.
All the tracks have been written somewhere between the end of the eighties and the beginning of the ninties - so in avery early stage of the band's career. Three of them have been released earlier, while the biggest bunch of tracks has never been pressed on a record before. The fact that they are from the deceased bass player Jason Matthey Thirsk gives "Yesterdays" a special touch too. And last but not least it is Jim Lindberg who is back behind the mic. So it's a real retrospective in a new dress.
To pick out a few songs would not really be fair. But you find all the typical Pennywise elements on "Yesterdays". The pumping bass like on "What you deserve" and the fast punk rockers like "Am Oi!" and "Public defender". With "She's a winner" Pennywise also adds a partly unexpected twist to the album. The track starts with a kind of reggae based guitar riff and bass line, before the song develops into a typical punk anthem.
To even emphasis the view back in time the album comes with a 13 minutes practice recording from 1989. It's a nice add-on. Not more, but also not less.
I like the songs and I like the idea behind "Yesterdays". Much better than releasing a compilation. A cool punk rock album which fits perfectly into the summer period. Listen and enjoy.
(8/10)
Tracklist:
- What you deserve
- Restless time
- Noise pollution
- Violence never ending
- Am Oi!
- Thanksgiving
- She's a winner
- Slow down
- Public defender
- No way out
- I can remember
- Band practice 89
Label: Epitaph
Genre: Punk Rock
