Houston Calls – A Collection Of Short Stories

Pop-punk has always been a temptress for me. Although there are so many generic pop-punk bands out there, there’s always those occasional releases that just make you want to play them. Because, after all, these pop-punk albums tend to be the perfect summer sing a long albums to listen to. Looking through my collection of pop-punk albums, its pretty obvious that it has been Drive-Thru Records which has given me most of my favorite pop-punk albums; but after losing most of their top sellers to major labels and breakups, the label were in a bit of trouble and went on a signing frenzy. They started a sister label calledRushmore Records and released tons of CDs, many to lackluster responses. That is, until now. Because it seems as if the label has finally found another pop-punk gem in the one and only, Houston Calls.

There’s nothing too special about the eleven songs on this album. Nothing you can’t find on most other pop-punk albums, but that often happens with the pop-punk sound and it’s not always a bad thing. A Collection Of Short Stories gives its fans exactly what they want. Catchy, up beat, sing along pop-punk songs that immediately get you singing dancing along with it.

The opening trio of Sunrise Goodbyes, Exit Emergency and Bob And Bonnie are easily the best three of the album, with oil-slick production and flawless vocal harmonies that get you singing along instantly. And isn’t that what you want in a pop-punk album? Songs that aren’t too serious but just let you forget the troubles and enjoy a little music. The keyboards sound like Motion City Soundtrack while the vocals have a tinge of Fall Out Boy to them.

So after a few forgettable releases from the pop-punk heavyweights Drive-Thru Records and Rushmore Records, it seems they have found what they are looking for. A good band that isn’t life changing but is easy to get into and easy to listen to over and over again. Its just a fun album full of stories that will easily occupy the rest of my summer vacation and even a little bit into fall.