2016 was a dream year for the punk rock enthusiast

2016 was a year full of delightful music for punk rock fans. It held nostalgia, new tones, progressiveness, and classics. To be honest, it was the ideal year for anyone who grew up listening to punk music in the mid-90’s to early 2000’s.

In 2016, we witnessed total punk-domination. Blink-182, Green Day, Sum 41, Jimmy Eat World, NOFX, and the Descendants all came out with albums that glorified the punk-rock scene once again.

Lets break them down:

Green Day:

Green Day’s Revolution Radio brought back that good old 2004 feeling. After not releasing a real album since 2009’s 21st Century Breakdown, they did a great job coming back right where they left off. With hits like, “Still Breathing” and “Bang Bang”, they continued to keep that great Green Day flavor, with a hint of a new approach.

Sum 41:

Sum 41’s 13 Voices gave back that good ol’ teenage angst. Having not released an album since Screaming Bloody Murder in 2011, the band still found a way to touch on new levels. Hits such as “Goddam I’m Dead Again” and “Twisted By Design”, you’re guaranteed old-fashioned Sum-41 in a newer body.

Blink-182:

Blink-182’s California was something blink-182 fans can appreciate, but still have a hard time getting used to. Without lead guitarist Tom DeLonge, it lacked the excitement and emotion of DeLonge, but was carried by Mark Hoppus and Matt Skiba’s great song-writing. With hits like “Bored To Death” and “She’s Out Of Her Mind”, fans were lucky enough to get a treat with a new progressive tone of Blink-182. Although, the only nostalgia within was Hoppus’s goofy lyrics and novelty song-writing.

Jimmy Eat World:

Jimmy Eat World’s album Integrity Blues was newer, considering it’s dark entities, but had some great tracks that will be listened to for quite some time. They were able to touch fans with some serious song-writing in their hit song “Through”, but kept a great classic tone with “Sure and Certain”. Being the band’s first album since 2004, they did a wonderful job keeping their tone.

Now, onto the bands who basically crafted the punk rock scene:

NOFX:

NOFX released First Ditch Effort in October of 2016, but shocked the punk-rock scene with instant nostalgia. With the album being produced by Cameron Webb instead of Bill Stevenson, the band’s progressive tone was noticed, but calmly collected as they still brought out the classic tunes with “Six Years On Dope”, “I Don’t Like Me Anymore”, and “Oxy Moronic”. The album was an instant classic the day it came out, and is a good listen for any true punk rock fan.

Descendants:

The kings of punk rock did it again. With their album Hypercaffium Spazzinate, they re-established their spot on the throne. The Californian band humorously empowered their first complete album in 12 years by keeping it simple, collective, and down-right fun. By listening to the lyrics, you can tell they had a lot of fun writing the album and keeping a good tone as well. Hit songs “Limiter” and “Fighting Myself”, the band was able to remain who they once were many years ago.

If you haven’t listened to all of the albums listed above, I urge you to do so now! You’ll be hit with nostalgia, feels, and a tidal wave of great song-writing.

I doubt we’ll see another year where so many fantastic bands come out with great music all at the same time.

Follow me on Twitter: @Johnaubert97

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