Punchline-Action (2004)

 

Why I Like It:

At first glance, you might see this album and think, this is just another pop-punk record from the early 2000s. And yes, you would technically be correct in that initial assessment. However, if you peel back the layers that is this band, there's so much more to discover. So let's dive in!

First of all, this is one of the hardest working bands I have seen. They are still releasing albums and songs today and haven't taken any breaks (to my knowledge) since their beginning. Not only that, but touring as much as they can. 

In addition, members of Punchline are releasing their own podcasts, linked below. One podcast, that I highly recommend, is a history of the band (called A Band Called Punchline) and how they almost became as big as Paramore and Panic! At The Disco (they headlined for both these bands no joke). The other podcast I recommend, that bassist Chris Fafalios hosts, is One Hit Thunder, where he goes through one hit wonder songs. 

Through listening to these podcasts and interviews, you can tell this is a band of genuine nice guys that love what they do and care for one another. It's so heartwarming to hear and makes me that much more enamored to the band. 

I picked Action as the album to showcase because it's the one that I personally liked most. However one could like other albums such as 37 Everywhere and Just Say Yes better, which are more mature sounding for sure. I just think this is an excellent, and good sounding, example of what the early 2000s pop-punk sounded like. 

So what are you waiting for? Check Punchline out, and their podcasts while you are at it!

______________________________________________________________

Highlighted song and lyrics:

Getting There Is Getting By- "See these circles under my eyes/Think of them as a part of my disguise"

______________________________________________________________

Similar bands to check out:

Hidden In Plain View, Valencia, Procession Came Opposite, Unsung Zeros

_______________________________________________________________

Reviews and links to check out:

A Band Called Punchline Podcast

Lead Singer Syndrome Podcast- Interview with Steve Soboslai

One Hit Thunder Podcast

Fall Out Boy and Punchline Japan Tour - June 2004

Filter-Amalgamut (2002)

 

Why I Like It:

Filter came into the mainstream around the time similar acts like Linkin Park, Fuel, and early Incubus were becoming mainstream hits. Filter was within the Nu Metal vein but more of an industrial hard rock fusion, like Nine Inch Nails. Speaking of Nine Inch Nails, that's where the lead singer (Richard Patrick) was before he started Filter. 

Filter had two major hits within their career, "Take A Picture" and "Hey Man, Nice Shot". Would you call that a 2 hit wonder band? Both songs I was obsessed with as a kid. Neither are within the album that I will be talking about. 

Amalgamut I discovered through the song "Where Do We Go From Here", which was my favorite song from Filter. It wasn't until much later in life that someone, within a Discord chat, recommended the album because it had more songs like "Where Do We Go From Here" on it. Right away I consumed the album and loved it. The reason I loved it so much was the softer songs, like "The Only Way (Is the Wrong Way)" and "God Damn Me", mixed in with the heavy ones they are more known for. It was a great mix up to my ears. This is why I chose to talk about this underappreciated album over the others of Filter's discography.

I would argue that this album is up there with the other bands that were of this time period and deserves much more love. Give it a shot if you want to be injected with early 2000s industrial rock glory!

______________________________________________________________

Highlighted song and lyrics:

The Only Way (Is The Wrong Way)- "Everytime they try to make me change/They just wear me down with more chains"

______________________________________________________________

Similar bands to check out:

Chevelle, Fuel, Incubus, Trapt

_______________________________________________________________

Reviews and links to check out:

Crypticrock.com - 20th Anniversary Vinyl Review

Soundsphere Magazine Podcast - Interview with Richard Patrick

Phenomenology Documentary

Rock N' Roll True Stories- Filters early beginnings