Altsounds - The Wonder Years - Won't Be Pathetic Forever 7"

"Head above water this year boys" is the first line on the new release from Philly boys and friends of Altsounds, The Wonder Years and it sets the pace and theme for the rest of the EP. It may only be an instrumental track but its a complete step up from the sound of the debut album. This is the sound of a band who know what they want and where to go to get it.

Despite the title lending itself towards a more serious side of the band, the track titles contradict that almost instantly. Name checking Star Wars characters and influential authors is not the most obvious connection but don't get me wrong, that's not a bad thing at all. This is what most bands lack these days. The ability to show a personality and shine through as the band they are and not the band they want people to think they are.

The new vibe I'm getting from the band is that they have got determination and they are not going to let chances pass them by. Musically and lyrically they are showing massive determination and with guest vocals on "Solo & Chewy: Holdin' it Down" from Rachel Minton (Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer) shows that they have got backing from all the right places. With lines such as "We won’t sleep our lives away, and today we’ll make waves" screams to me of a bunch of guys that believe in what they do and will make it happen. But with lines like "We’re taking naked pictures in the Utah desert. Yo man, I think that girl just saw your dick.” shows that they are going to have fun on the way to the top.

With the current trend of genre crossover bands (Set Your Goals, Four year Strong, etc) it baffles me why The Wonder Years are not bigger. Fitting into so many different groups and taking hints from old Brand New (track 4), early New Found Glory (track 2) and Motion City Soundtrack (track 3) they have got all the right ingredients to make the perfect sound.

I strongly suggest getting your hands on this new release from No Sleep Records because you will not be disappointed. Ive listened to it over and over while Ive been writing this review and its not lost anything from the first time i pressed play. Its bigger and more epic sounding than anything The Wonder Years have done before but it still doesn't lose what makes them great. It just makes them better.