Five Albums To Know Your Pop-Punk Roots

Five Albums To Know Your Pop-Punk Roots
Words and Picks by Trevor Figge 

When we think of Pop-Punk, we often neglect the bands that established this genre and made it what it is today. We pay attention to bands like The Wonder Years, The Story So Far, Set Your Goals, Transit, Man Overboard, All Time Low, and countless others rather than paying tribute to the bands that influenced them. Consequently, I have created a list of the top five albums (in my opinion) to know your Pop-Punk roots.

MxPx – Life In General
MxPx is Pop-Punk royalty; they have played for over twenty years, yet few people currently in the scene know about this band. But they should! Life In General literally made Pop-Punk today. Blending fast punk riffs and relatable fun lyrics, with catchy half time choruses modeled by almost every band in the genre today. If you like Punk-Rock, Punk, or Pop-Punk this album is the one album that you should definitely listen to.

A New Found Glory – Nothing Gold Can Stay
New Found Glory has been playing since 1997 and churning out countless fantastic albums. However, I find it astonishing that many Pop-Punk fans only know some of their singles. For example: My Friends Over You and Catalyst. But few people know that A New Found Glory put out an album that to this date helped established the Pop-Punk Genre. With songs like “Hit or Miss,” “3^rd and Long,” and “Tell-Tale Heart,” it’s no wonder that countless artists reference A New Found Glory.

The Ataris – End Is Forever
The Ataris are one of, if not, the most underrated bands in the genre. Once again I find that very few people know about this band. Yet their fast tempos and emotional lyrics establish them as one of the many influential bands in the Pop-Punk scene. The End Is Forever, is packed full of songs about heartbreak, friends, and love; everything that a Pop-Punk album needs (aside from pizza) to influence thousands of bands.

Blink 182 – Dude Ranch
When the name Blink-182 is mentioned everyone remembers Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, Enema Of The State, and their self titled album. However, it’s more than often that people neglect anything before Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. Yet Dude Ranch, should not be neglected. The fun, fast, and funny songs are the very ones that put Blink-182 on the map. Not to mention, this album embodies the fun spirit of Pop-Punk that underlies every angst ridden, emotion filled album that is put out currently.

The Movielife – This Time Next Year
The Movielife has long since passed, but their legacy will live on in the hearts of many. This Time Next Year is full of fast double timed songs, with relatable lyrics that draw you in and keep you asking for more. Not only has this album inspired a band to be named after it, but also it is almost impossible to go into a Pop-Punk forum without hearing at least one vague reference to it.

Honorable Mention:
Fall Out Boy – Take This To Your Grave, The Starting Line – Say It Like You Mean It, Allister – Last Stop Suburbia, Rufio – Perhaps I suppose, Belvedere – Because No One Stopped Us, The Get Up Kids – Something To Write Home About, Green Day – Dookie, Lagwagon – Duh, Lifetime – Hello Bastards, Yellowcard – One For The Kids, Nirvana – Nevermind, No Use For A Name – Making Friends