Screeching Weasel

Some Freaks Of Atavism

Written by: PP on 17/01/2021 17:35:15

Muuuuuch better. After the train wreck that was the 27 song 'punk rock opera' of Baby Fat, Act 1" five years ago, Screeching Weasel return to the simple, kick-ass form of no-frills pop punk that they pioneered so many decades ago and nostalgically reminded us of on 2011's "First World Manifesto". It's three-chord pop punk from the original pioneers with fourteen tracks spanning just 31 minutes underlining a simple fact: there's just no need to change your sound when this is what you've always been good at.

And with that opening statement, ladies and gentlemen, this review might as well end here. Their fourteenth album "Some Freaks Of Atavism" is the most straight-forward Screeching Weasel record you might expect with simple sing-along melodies laid on top of simple three-chord rhythms and Weasel's signature-style snarls that inspired Mxpx and Chixdiggit! among many others. There are virtually no surprises here: you have the "God Help Us" type songs that showcase their heavier side with a metallic tinge to the guitars, which are directly contrasted by the Ramones-style happy-go-lucky bouncers like "Turn It Around". Sandwiched in between you have infectiously catchy pop punk tunes like "To Hell With You", "Not Even Close", "Dead By Dawn", and "Back Of Your Head", none of which are particularly original or inspiring, but all of which will keep you nodding along and humming along to the choruses at live shows.

The guitars are tight, the tempo is upbeat and fast-paced, Ben Weasel sounds uplifting on vocals for the first time in a decade, and the overall atmosphere feels like the 90s pop punk is back with a blast. It's a great example of sticking to your signature sound with few if any, surprises thrown in as curveballs, and what do you know? The fans love it as a result. Indeed, Screeching Weasel gives us exactly what we're looking for on "Some Freaks Of Atavism", even if it isn't as instantly memorable as "First World Manifesto" was nine years ago.

Download: Back Of Your Head, To Hell With You, Not Even Close
For the fans of: Mxpx, Chixdiggit!, Teenage Bottlerocket, The Queers
Listen: Facebook

Release date 24.03.2020
Monona Music Company

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