Simple Plan - "Taking One for the Team" Review

As far too many of the great bands of that era have, Simple Plan have descended into less punk, more pop. Fellow Canadian 00s pop punk stars Sum 41, will also be launching their comeback album. And of course we'll probably get new blink-182 material. So it would appear that all the greats from our youth (for those readers in their twenties) are returning to remind the fans of 5 Seconds of Summer, All Time Low, and Mayday Parade who basically created the genre those bands strive to emulate. 

But first this year will be Simple Plan's 5th album, "Take One for the Team". To buy their album on iTunes, click this (link). 

ROAM - "Backbone" Review

To start the 2016 wave of pop punk, ROAM released their debut album, "Backbone" January 26th. Hopeless Records certainly does have good taste in pop punk bands, especially those from the U.K. And they've picked another winner. To purchase the album on iTunes, click this (link).

Featured Band - State Champs

Pure Noise Records has a slew of great pop punk bands. Perhaps the cream of the crop are rising stars State Champs. Their sophomore record, "Around the World and Back" was released in October of 2015. And since then, they've had nothing but success. Prior they had stints on tours with 5 Seconds of Summer, and on Warped. Currently they're doing a world tour with fellow pop punk newcomers Neck Deep (whose sophomore album was also a huge success). Poised for world domination, with a growing fanbase, we're happy to have these guys as our first "Featured Band" of 2016. 

Remember to catch State Champs on their co-headlining tour with Neck Deep this February/March. Click the following (link) to get dates and locations. 

To read our review of "Around the World and Back" click this (link). And to buy the album on iTunes click this (link). 

Top 10 Albums of 2015

There were so many great albums released this year, we had a tough time nailing down the 10 best. Please note, we're only counting full length albums, not EPs. Re-releases do not count either. So without further ado, here are our picks for the Top 10 Albums of 2015. Try not too get too butthurt. 

If you think an album should be included be sure to comment or email us at platypusreviews1486@gmail.com. We can only listen to so many albums before our brains explode, so we're sorry if we've overlooked a worthy album. Click this (link) to see our Top 10 Songs of 2015. 

**Revised April 2016**

Top 10 Songs of 2015

The first of two "Best of 2015" posts, here we're ranking our picks for the best song. Anything single released in 2015 is fair game, even for albums that have yet to be released. Try not too get too butthurt. We've got quite a few honorable mentions, so if you don't see a song below make sure we haven't included it on that list. To view our honorable mentions, and other Top 10 lists, please go to our Top 10/Quick Picks page. 

If you still think a song should be included be sure to comment or email us at platypusreviews1486@gmail.com. We can only listen to so many albums before our brains explode, so we're sorry if we've overlooked someone's favorite tune. Once posted, you'll be able to click this (link) to view our Top 10 Albums of 2015. 

**Revised April 2016**

State Champs - "Around the World and Back" Review

We're sorry this took so long to post. But better late than never right? So without further ado, here's our very, very, VERY late review of State Champ's album "Around the World and Back". You can click this (link) to buy the album on iTunes. 

The Wonder Years - "No Closer to Heaven" Review

Hopeless Records has had a slew of pop punk hits so far this year with All Time Low, Neck Deep, and ROAM. They can add The Wonder Years to that list. Their 5th album was already shaping up to be one of their best yet, then they went and blew minds. Different from their previous releases, but in the best ways possible. TWY take a new tack at pop punk in this album, and score big! Click this (link) to buy the album on iTunes. 

Featured Post - Neck Deep

September's band is... Neck Deep! Having just released their sophomore album last month, we're eager to jump into this post. Feel free to join the conversation in the comments section. And if you have suggestions for future featured posts, reviews and bands please let us know. 

 To read our full review of "Life's Not Out to Get You" click this (link). 

Knuckle Puck - "Copacetic" Review

Knuckle Puck's debut record "Copacetic" is the epitome of pop punk. If you didn't already know what genre the band is, the album title should have given you an inclining. An up-in-coming band that has its origins in Chicago circa 2010, these fellows have kicked things off with a strong debut. After completing a run on Warped Tour 2015, the band have found themselves with a growing fanbase, and a surprisingly successful debut. Click this (link) to buy their album on iTunes.

Neck Deep - "Life's Not Out to Get You" Review

A little over a year after the release of their debut, "Wishful Thinking", Neck Deep is back with their sophomore effort. And it's everything fans hoped it would be. The best way to close out the summer, this pop punk gem solidifies the band's reputation as the genre's newest heavy weights. 

Quick Picks: 10 Bands to Watch (Mid 2015 edition)

A "Quick Picks" countdown, here we will be counting down the 10 bands you should be watching in the coming year. Be sure to leave comments if you think we missed a band!

Top 10 Debut Albums (2010-2014) Pt 2

Some bands have debut records that miss the mark. Then there are bands who release debut albums so put together, and well written that we wonder where they've been hiding or entire lives. Here are some of the best debut albums released from 2010 to 2014. The albums aren't listed in any particular order (1 is not the top, 10 is not the bottom). Each entry is accompanied with a mini review and rating. Click this (link) to see Pt 1 of this list. Honorable mentions can be found on our Top 10 page.

Please keep in mind that I'm only one person, and can only listen to so many albums before my brain explodes. If you think there's a debut that I should listen to, please contact me at platypusreviews1486@gmail.com with the band and their album (for this list the album has to have been released between 2010 and 2014). 

I have excluded bands that were formed after a member's previous band broke up or bands with members who were has previous success in another group (i.e, Of Mice and Men, Beartooth, Falling in Reverse, the many, many Jonny Craig bands, etc). These are bands who are fresh off the rookie circuit, and are cutting their teeth with this release. EPs are off limits, as they are often not good representations of what a band is truly capable of (though there are always exceptions to the rule). 

All Time Low - "Future Hearts" Review

Two months later and All Time Low have had plenty of time to enjoy the success of their new album. But was it as successful as they had hoped? Were fans disappointed or greeted with an album that surpassed their wildest dream?  Here's a link to buy this album on iTunes (Future Hearts)

Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! - "Get Lost, Find Yourself" Review

Here's my first review for this blog. To read any past reviews check my deviantart profile Journal. I'll be posting my review of I the Mighty's new album within the week so stay tuned for that as well. So without further ado, here is my review of Get Lost, Find Yourself. 

So these French boys have been on the music scene for about 5 years. Their debut, "Something For Nothing", was released in Europe back in 2010, and then in 2011 in the States and Australia. They were signed to Fearless Records in 2011, and were included in the Punk Goes Pop series with a cover of "We R Who We R" by Ke$ha. Their sophomore album was released in 2013, "Pardon My French", and then the deluxe edition last June. They also contributed a cover of "All Star" for Punk Goes 90s Vol. 2.