Review Summary: No not the t.v show.
There's plenty to get stoked on in the The Wonder Years debut album released a little over a year ago. The Wonder Years are a band right out of the keystone state and they have managed to create an exciting album that doesn't have lyrics that you would expect from this kind of band instead they talk about captain crunch stealing their girl and how he left his hat on the bedroom floor. They have toured extensively ever since their EP came out. Blending pop punk, hardcore and synths isn't a fresh idea but for The Wonder Years it works and that's just it. There's nothing here that doesn't work.
Right from the very first track "Keystone State Dude-Core" they come out swinging with some of the albums best lyrics
"The sound guy here's got *** against us.
We came here to do this. We're six dudes from the keystone state.
We're broke as ***, but we can't complain.
We haven't showered in at least four days."
Although the track is only about 1:30 it serves as an excellent intro considering 90 percent of CDs these days open up with either a lame sample from a movie or a pointless instrumental. So its a breathe of fresh air when a band actually writes a song intended to be an intro and doesn't half ass it. The following track "Bout To Get Fruit Punched, Homie" keeps the energy up as its another fast passed track completely filled with synths and a break down to boot. Something that's very clear is that The Wonder Years have breakdowns spread all over this release but they manage to not over do it and that's a definite plus because its awful when bands over due it and it sounds just plain forced.
After the first two tracks the next isn't as impressive but it isn't terrible by any means but you won't find yourself listening to it too often. The following track “What If We [Swam] Into Nothing?” has a very simple yet fulfilling break down with some nicely placed gang vocals and also has some of the vocalists best singing. Not to mention some of their best use of their synths. And just when you think they are going to slow it down a bit with their acoustic track "Racing Trains" they transition it to the following track "Zombies Are The New Black" with them shouting "You think you're safe" it's a nice little touch that adds to the CD.
Skip a track to "My Geraldine Lies Over The Delaware" a song that was on previous releases and was re recorded for their debut. "My Geraldine Lies Over The Delaware" stands out from the rest with a slightly different style then the rest of the album it has a very Set Your Goals feeling minus the dual vocals.
The next track I real want to focus on is the last track on the album "When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong" (No not Emmure.) This song goes back to the kind of lyrics found in the first track being a little more serious then the other songs. It's good to see they can have comical lyrics and still manage to throw in some that hold a little more meaning. The song catches your attention from the start with a very catch riff and lyrics that every one can relate to.
"I've got this job that equates swallowing *** where I puree food for dementia patients, and the commute is an hour each way. I'm so sick of taking the train."
Get Stoked On It! has 12 up beat tracks and every song on here is at least solid with a hand full of them being excellent. The quality and musicianship here is strong. You can tell they didn't rush anything while writing and recording this album. The drumming makes sure all the tracks are catchy, the synths enhance the over all experience and the lyrics are funny but they always get the point across. Over all the CD does just about everything right and everyone should give this a listen as this is an absolute cannot miss.
Tracks To listen to:
-Keystone State Dude-Core
-Bout To Get Fruit Punched, Homie
-When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong
-My Geraldine Lies Over The Delaware
-What If We [Swam] Into Nothing?
-Racing Trains/Zombies Are The New Black
