Motion City Soundtrack — Commit This To Memory

Were it not for the presence of backpack rhymeslingers like Lyrics Born on the Epitaph talent roster, Minneapolis' Motion City Soundtrack would no doubt rank as the SoCal punk imprint's most unpunk signees. Bristling with shiny hooks big enough to snare sea bass, MCS' songs exist in the happy middle ground that unites both poker-faced punks and pop-smart poseurs, where radio-friendliness and subcultural cred meet. While Commit This To Memory pops and crunches in all the right places, the engaging, widescreen optimism that saturates each track strikes the strongest chords. The sunny "Everything Is Alright" almost explodes with good cheer, cleverly disguising its inner malaise with vigorous positivity. Hell, these guys even make breakup songs sound upbeat.

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