The Wonder Years - The Greatest Generation (Album Review)

I was kind of hesitantly starting off when writing my review for this album. I've been looking forward to this album for some time. I've kind of felt like this is The Wonder Years album that the band has kind of been building up to. You see it with every band-that moment where the stars really align- when they seem to be the big hyped band. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. Luckily I wasn't let down when I sat down for my first listen of The Greatest Generation.

I had previously heard a few songs leading up to the actual release (the band released a few). I started feeling the anticipation and validation that this band is on their way to becoming one of those pop/punk bands that have albums that still sound good ten years later (NFG, Blink, The Ataris, etc...). In a way this album actually reminds me of The Ataris So Long Astoria, not particularly in sound, but in the vibe and lyrical content and meaning.

I'm sure the backlash of this band becoming the big pop/punk band on the rise has brought out some of the haters and harsh criticism. Some perhaps even bring some valid criticism. Overall, there is no denying this band has lived up to the hype with this album. It is the most diverse of the group’s albums. Lyrically vocalist Dan "Soupy" Campbell continues to improve and pen relatable lyrics, and the group themselves sound as tight as they could sound on the album. It may not be heralded as the fan favorite. It does however stand on equal grounds with the group’s best work. It may be the most easily accessible album the band has ever released. "Dismantling Summer" and "Passing Through A Screen Door" are probably some of the best pop/punk songs you'll hear all summer. Tracks like "The Devil In My Bloodstream" and "Madelyn" show the group incorporate piano and acoustic guitars and "The Devil..." sticks out as one of the better songs the group has written to date. The piano intro sounds excellent and it's one of the tracks that definitely show how much Campbell's vocals have continued to improve over the course of the band's career.

The refinement on the album is maybe what makes this as big of an accomplishment as any. The band seems to have really hit their stride on this one. The production is on point. Every part seems to compliment the sum of the whole in a way really good albums always do. The balance of fast paced songs and slower songs works so well and creates a good flow for the album.

I didn't have much criticism at the end of it all when this album was done playing. If I had to pick anything maybe the vocals could have been mixed slightly different in a couple spots, but overall I was and am impressed. It's not every day a band can deliver the way The Wonder Years have with The Greatest Generation. Often times you have all the hype with disappointing results. That isn't the case with this album. You could argue it isn't their best but to me it's hard to argue it isn't at least another solid accomplishment and that the album is anything short of fantastic. It shows some progression and refinement. It has tracks that stand out for the genre. It has that special something that makes summer feel a little warmer. Ultimately it feels like The Wonder Years is slowly starting to stray from the pack away from their current peers and starting to move towards a new pack. The pack of pop/punk bands that have achieved what few have been able to accomplish - longevity. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to hear kids talking about The Wonder Years in the same way they talk about New Found Glory in 5-10 years.