Sum 41 — Chuck

There comes a time in every punk-pop band's career when they write the "mature" album. Our bratty boys from Ajax may not be writing punk rock operas just yet, but their latest disc lets us take them a bit more. Perhaps near-death experiences have done them well. They're still copping moves from their heroes — Chuck's punk-metal takes cues from Thrice, Metallica and first single "We're All to Blame" aims for System Of A Down's mix of thrash-y rhythms and harmonies — but they've repackaged their once ironic tributes into genuine adoration. And for that, as well as the band's good taste not attempt to sound more important than they actually are, we adore Sum 41 just a bit more, too.

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