Record Review: The Menzingers – On the Impossible Past

This morning I began my day with a listen to The Menzinger’s On the Impossible Past. As it turns out, punk rock is quite a good substitute for coffee. “Burn After Writing” kicks off the enthusiasm- it’s pop punk at it’s finest. The song is done in doubled, harmonized vocals which increases the intensity.

Like most awesome people, I was obsessed with “The Obituaries” when it was released. I think the play count would probably be embarrassing. It made my expectations for the new record sky high and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. The Menzingers have this ability to put out super intense, honest music that I can’t get enough of. It’s all the reasons I love punk rock and On the Impossible Past is packed with it. Tom May wails over guitar riffs and drum beats that leave me hitting whatever I can get my hands on. The energy is impossible not to participate in.

As implied by the title, On the Impossible Past has a nostalgic feel to it. Themes weave in and out. It’s a heavy record. There is definite album of the year potential. The album is currently streaming in its entirety at Punknews.org. The Menzingers are embarking upon a pretty extensive tour with a stop in Denver at the Marquis Theater on March 27th. The full list of dates is below.

The Menzingers – Ava House

Thu/Mar-22 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Roboto
Fri/Mar-23 – Lansing, MI @ The Loft

W/ CHEAP GIRLS, THE SIDEKICKS:
Sat/Mar-24 – Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen
Sun/Mar-25 – Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock
Tue/Mar-27 – Denver, CO @ Marquee
Wed/Mar-28 – Ogden, UT @ Mojoes
Thu/Mar-29 – Boise, ID @ The Red Room
Fri/Mar-30 – Portland, OR @ Backspace
Sat/Mar-31 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
Mon/Apr-02 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
Tue/Apr-03 – Ventura, CA @ Billy O’s
Wed/Apr-04 – Long Beach, CA @ Alex’s Bar
Fri/Apr-06 – San Diego, CA @ Che Café
Sat/Apr-07 – Mesa, AZ @ The Underground
Mon/Apr-09 – Austin TX @ Mohawk w/ Andrew Jackson Jihad, Joyce Manor
Tue/Apr-10 – San Antonio, TX @ El Ten Eleven
Thu/Apr-12 – Orlando, FL @ Will’s Pub
Fri/Apr-13 – Gainesville, FL @ The Atlantic
Sun/Apr-15 – Richmond, VA @ Stay Sweet Fest

RECORD RELEASE WEEKEND
Thu/Apr-19 – Scranton, PA – Redwoods w/ Tigers Jaw, The Front Bottoms, The Holy Mess, Luther
Fri/Apr-20 – Boston, MA – Middle East – Up w/ The Holy Mess, Luther, Choke Up
Sat/Apr-21 – Philly, PA – Road to Ruin
Sun/Apr-22 – Brooklyn NY – Knitting Factory w/ Tigers Jaw, Holy Mess, Luther