Greg Barnett (vocals, guitar), Tom May (vocals, guitar), Eric Keen (bass) and Joe Godino (drums) have released some of my favourite albums of recent years, so I couldn’t wait to hear this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first two single, There’s No Place In This World For Me<\/em> and Hope Is A Dangerous Little Thing<\/em>, raised my hopes even higher; both were exultant Menzos anthems which sound set to become live favourites.<\/p>\n\n\n Barnett, who released his excellent debut solo album Don’t Go Throwing Roses On My Grave<\/em> (reviewed here<\/a><\/strong>) last year, says SOIWT<\/em> “is the most realized version of what we set out to do when we started this band 17 years ago \u2014 have fun and be ourselves.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 13 tracks here certainly sound like the band are enjoying life at the moment, which is a far cry from the melancholy-steeped retreaded 2020 effort From Exile<\/em> (reviewed here<\/a><\/strong>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Barnett takes lead vocals on most of the tracks, and his raspy voice is perfect as they lean ever more heavily towards Americana in more than a few places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As ever with The Menzingers, even the most upbeat-sounding songs can carry a very different sentiment in the lyrics. The jaunty Try<\/em>, the pick of the four May songs on the album, is a perfect example, as he sings: “I’m not alright\/I’m losing my mind\/I try try try try try try try try\/I’m running out of time.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"the](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ipamusic.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/The-Menzingers-by-Danielle-Dubois.jpg?resize=640%2C427\")
Americana-tinged<\/h3>\n\n\n\n