True to its name, this record is one of the finest debut pop-punk records of the last five years and easily among the top tier for the genre this year.
They had a pop-punk grit and an edgier take on their 2012 release but The Finer Things just falls short of the potential that State Champs should be exploiting by now.
This is easily one of the finest pop punk albums I've ever laid ears on. I created an account just to add this review after reading some ofThis is easily one of the finest pop punk albums I've ever laid ears on. I created an account just to add this review after reading some of the negative reviews on here. Seeing people who seems to not be pop punk fans reviewing this is like asking someone who hates coffee to review you're copy shop. Derek's vocals are raw, gritty and give a vibe and edge to this album he unfortunately loses in later albums. They sounds like All Time Lowe's edgier cousin. Can't recommend this album enough. It belongs up there with Rise or Die Trying, Homesick, Life's Not Out To Get You, Nothing Personal, ect.…Expand
An album that was certainly needed for this generation. It is a revolution in today's music and brings back some of the sounds of theAn album that was certainly needed for this generation. It is a revolution in today's music and brings back some of the sounds of the early-mid 2000s. While much of what qrobur said was very accurate, I will add the fact that this album is quite pop-oriented, which means it can be enjoyed by the masses, but it has this modern "punk" feel which any Kerrang! readers or just really fans of pop-punk should definitely enjoy. All in all a great debut.…Expand
I think people should be wary of the limited number of reviews for this record, especially as they originate from sources that more or lessI think people should be wary of the limited number of reviews for this record, especially as they originate from sources that more or less concentrate on the genre to which 'The Finer Things' belongs.
The album is a competent exercise in the lighter side of what is called "punk" these days. That means it's well played, well sung and rather dull. It lacks imagination, inspiration and above all, passion. Any one of a hundred groups in this genre could have produced this record, so much is it an identikit release.
All the pieces you'd expect are there; compressed riffing guitars, sprightly drumming in fairly fast rhythms, bass almost non-existent and pretty much unnecessary, obvious speed changes, somewhat whiny vocals...but nothing to engage your mind or heart. If you want to know what really good pop-punk should be, try the very old albums by the or, even better, their early singles.…Expand
I don't understand metacritic and music critics anymore. I listened to a few minutes of this and it's horrible, horrible sounding stuff, likeI don't understand metacritic and music critics anymore. I listened to a few minutes of this and it's horrible, horrible sounding stuff, like a revival of Simple Plan or Sum 41 or some crap like that. Ugh.…Expand
Kerrang! Ha Ha.100? Okay. Look at the reviewers (professional) for this album. The only reviewers are one's who cater to this genre and musicKerrang! Ha Ha.100? Okay. Look at the reviewers (professional) for this album. The only reviewers are one's who cater to this genre and music crowd and depend on getting pre-release albums to review. Of course, they're gonna rate it higher than it should be. But this is preposterous. This album is awful. But, I could only make it through four songs, so maybe it's backloaded with gems.…Collapse
