The Wonder Years – The Upsides

Had any other band snatched up the Fred Savage inspired name, it would have been an injustice to the since near-forgotten piece of TV history.  The show once captivated millions every week with its American apple pie take on the trials of growing up.  Its audience hung on the every word of its naïve and innocent narrator as he nostalgically spun tales of high school relationships and responsibilities.  Despite a thick greasy layer of cheese oozing over the show’s every moment; the basic moralistic formula lasted six seasons because of its uplifting, hopeful subject matter.  And when it comes to the band that shares the show’s name, the same can be said of their sophomore effort, The Upsides.

True (and like the show), The Wonder Years tread dangerously close to a cookie-cutter pop-punk formula (somewhere around The Starting Line territory) – mix one part Broadway Calls, one part Simple Plan, and a teeny-tiny dash of skate punk and you get the Philadelphia pop-punkers –  but the strength of their lyrical awareness cushions their delivery.  “My Last Semester” opens with the passage “I’m Not Sad Anymore, I’m just tired and displaced, the weight of the world would be okay if it would pick a shoulder to lean on,” after which point vocalist Dan “Soupy” Campbell goes on to detail the surprisingly accurate “thank god it’s over!” feel most university graduates experience on their way out after four or five years of courses.  It’s the perfect primer for the album’s central theme of holding one’s head high while moving through life’s stages.  “I can see we brought it on our selves with bad attitudes” he insightfully sings in “Logan Circle” – if only most pop-punk groups could realize such truths the world would have far less depressed adolescents. After all, such sunny insights lumps The Wonder Years closer in with Broadway Calls school of pop punk than the “I’m just a kid and life is a nightmare” inspired moaning of Simple Plan clones.

Musically, those typically critical of high-pitched pop-punk might find a few surprising moments throughout The Upsides.  While certainly not at the height of the genre, The Wonder Years have a few reoccurring tricks.  For example, “Everything I Own Fits In This Backpack” includes some borderline hardcore gang vocals that really lift the track above the otherwise ho-hum verse.  Other great moments, like on “Hostels & Brothels,” come in the form of blistering skate punk drumming – and while technically an old strategy, it’s a great tool for varying the album’s pace and keeping listeners guessing.

Overall, The Wonder Years have produced a fine pop-punk product.  Aside from a few unique moments the instrumentation might be nothing to gush over, but The Wonder Years’ lyrical maturity gives them a definite draw.  Those looking for an excuse to be sad need not apply; but if you’re looking for an uplifting take on a familiar package, check out The Upside.