Songs About Fucking Up

The Copyrights are one of the best pop-punk bands out there. This is not up for debate, it’s simply a true statement. They’ve got their craft down to a tee. The Dopamines are promising up-and-comers, who released their self-titled debut last year, to acclaim from those in the know (also, from me). So here we have two songs from each band on this here split 7″ on It’s Alive Records, Songs About Fucking Up.

First of all, the album art parodying Big Black’s infamous Songs About Fucking is great. I’m perhaps easily amused by these sorts of things. But anyway, I dig it.

The first side finds the Copyrights kicking off with “Grown Folks Business,” a song that could have fit very well on last year’s excellent Learn the Hard Way. Their fast-paced, energetic music and gang-shouted choruses are in fine effect, and the song manages to completely reel the listener in in under 2 minutes. Their other song, “Days of Despair,” is a less breakneck song, but no less solid. Reminiscent of Make Sound, in my mind.

For the Dopamines’ side, “Try This Kids At Home” continues the alcohol-soaked stories from the debut album. What is it about alcoholism and pop-punk from the Midwest? There’s a sociological study waiting to happen. At any rate, the Dopamines manage to make their tales of drunken woe into something catchy and poppy. Same goes for their second song, “October 24th.” The one thing I’ll say about the Dopamines’ side is that the songs sound way more same-y than the Copyrights’ do. Not a knock, per se, because both sounds rock hard.

Both bands heard here are pop-punk bands to be excited about. Having them both on the same piece of wax is perfect. Definitely worth getting.

The Dopamines

The Dopamines are yet another pop-punk band. This particular one is from Cincinnati, OH, and they play a fast, fun, catchy brand of pop-punk that draws just enough influence from past heroes of the genre- the Ramones, Screeching Weasel, etc.- to know how to get the job done, without being too derivative.

Their self-titled debut reminds me strongly of early Alkaline Trio material, but with gang vocals instead of the switching-off of Matt and Dan. The songs here are hard-hitting and deliver just enough gritty crunch to call to mind the crappy sound of a sweaty basement show. This is a pretty quick record, with songs clocking in from half a minute to around two minutes long. The band doesn’t waste time, words, or chords when it comes to getting their point across musically.

Every chorus on this album seems perfectly designed to inspire a crowd to point their fingers to the sky and sing/shout along with the band. It’s as if a group of rogue scientists somewhere, instead of working on something remotely useful, instead figured out the perfect formula for getting jaded punks into the music. Then formed a band. It’s pretty awesome. I’m having a hard time sitting in my chair while listening.

Basically, the gist is that this album is Solid, with a capital S. It’s not revolutionary, and it doesn’t change the face of pop-punk as we know it. But it’s fun as hell, and anyone who calls themselves a fan of the genre should pick this up, or see the band live.