Review Summary: The defintion of melodic, roaring, anthemic punk rawk.
The concept that an uncomplicated, deliciously sloppy punk album could ever be considered MASSIVE is difficult to conceive on the surface. We usually reserve that term for epic metal, bombastic, over-produced Hip-Hop records or some unnecessarily complex post-hardcore fiasco that ends up being universally praised for its purported intelligence. If a 30 minute punk album isn’t catchy it’s most likely dead in the water, but even if there exists some sort of brilliant disjointed symmetry outlying the usual three chord chug/fall into chorus/glide into a refrain probably containing a cuss word formula, in the end we usually just take it for what it is; a good ride offset by some filler that’s usually over quickly. The best punk albums will usually collide melody with the perpetual rock-out factor, but only the truly great ones ever f*cking SOAR.
It seems like Latterman knew this and made it a personal challenge to transcend the usual boundaries of punk rock harmony. Their second album “No Matter Where We Go” is not merely catchy, furious, melodic, or infectious. It brilliantly melds all of these quintessential components into an explosive blend of call and response gang vocals, passionate shouting, and overpoweringly melodic guitar lines. Throw in the requisite sloppiness and the perfect formula for the best possible form of punk rock comes roaring furiously in the form of anthems. What really ends up defining “No Matter Where We Go” as a “massive” punk album is the simple fact it is one enormous, rollicking, ass-kicking anthem, transcending individual tracks or any other formulaic concept.
Aside from three gentle interludes that are strategically placed as a needed rest from shredding your vocal chords singing along with the “all-dudes together” chorus chants and pumping firsts into oblivion, Latterman lays down 9 tracks that seamlessly glide into each other, fusing the sheer power of melodic punk rock with that rarely attained anthemic might. “Doom! Doom! Doom!” is the type of song you throw on while driving 100 mph with six beers in your gullet and another in your hand. “Fear and Loathing in Long Island” sounds like the greatest possible result if Against Me!, The Lawerence Arms, and the Bouncing Souls ever combined their most redeeming features. When “My Bedroom is Like For Artists” furiously collapses with a towering and powerful gang vocal Coda, you’ll be pissed it’s actually over and stuttering in astonishment, wondering if it’s possible to get your ass kicked by a punk album any more.
It's an unmitigated travesty Latterman disbanded with the same quick, ferocious intensity that saturates their records. Sure, they’re still around in various side projects all containing pieces of the genius showcased here, but never again will this energy be duplicated by them or virtually anyone else in the genre. Equally fitting as the soundtrack to passionate disgruntled youth or just a really kick ass party, “No Matter Where We Go” may not be punk’s greatest album, but it’s easily one of its most melodic, powerful, and anthemic. To Latterman and for many of us, that is all that matters.
