Millencolin - True Brew

Millencolin
True Brew
2015

The first time I heard Millencolin was in college freshman year. There was this cute girl who shared my love of all things ska and punk who introduced me to Millencolin (Thanks Carrie). The hit back then in 2003 was "No Cigar" and the band had already been together for 10 years. Well it's 12 years later than that and I'm happy to say almost nothing has changed. The vocals, the instruments everything is straight out of tthe early 2000's Pop Punk era. On True Brew Millencolin are unabashedly themselves. They know their sound and they have no shame about it, more they are happy to shout it from the heavens.The album is start to finish four cord and guitar slide attacks. It is relentless in on the ears never letting up for a second to allow you to catch your breath. Most of the tracks are under the three minute mark but they don't feel overly brief, just the right amount you want to hear.

There are of course issues with this album for all those non Pop Punk believers. The songs can be quite repetitive though the subject matter changes track to track. One good thing about Millencolin is the never fall into the usual tropes and vocal styles as most of their counterparts do. For me the best track is the last "Believe in John" which is a religious track about the bands Christian faith. Despite the subject matter it is a really well written song and catchy as all hell. True Brew delivers on exactly what you think it would, just a really solid Pop Punk record that is worth a listen. So put on your DCs, grab a skateboard and pretend you can ollie while this blasts in your ear buds.

7 out of 10