EastScene

Here we find ourselves, nearly a decade into the 21^st century. A century that’s seen the rise/fall/rise of dozens of bands and artists, a basketball-playing black president, and Pete Wentz’s…stuff. The popularity of hardcore throwdowns and synth-doused solos has grown immensely, while the pop-rock, punk driven songs of our youth slowly shrivel up and blow away. Year after year, bands that were once unique slowly morph, change their style to fit what they believe to be the “popular” sound; it’s the reason fans constantly crave new music, a chance to break out of the bland and predictable mainstream music scene.

Rochester/Syracuse NY’s Polar Bear Club seems to have found the solution: bring back punk rock, indie style. Prepared to have your mind blown? Let’s continue.

If you’re at all familiar with what a Polar Bear Club is (if you’re not, read this Seinfeld script , or this Wikipedia page and become enlightened), you’ll realize the American punk-rock quintet really live up to their name. Only, instead of jumping into ice-cold bodies of water in the middle of winter, the band uses a combination of indie-inspired themes and home-style, timeless punk rock roots to produce what can only be described as a refreshingly new and exciting style collection.Their newest album, titled Chasing Hamburg, testifies to the musical innovation captured in ten mind-altering tracks.

The album’s opening track entitled “See The Wind” is a vocally charged anthem captained by lead singer Jimmy Stadt, who grasps this otherwise alternative-rock track and single handedly brings it to a completely different, punk-rock level. Add the punchy guitars courtesy of Nate Morris and Chris Browne (insert crappy Rihanna joke here), and the heart-pounding bass-and-drum combo of Eric “Goose” Henning and Emmett Menke (respectively), and you’re blessed with a track that reminds us just how much we’ve missed punk rock.

Possibly the greatest selling point of a band like Polar Bear Club is their ability to keep the songs fresh and unique, while at the same time embracing the very elements that made the punk-rock revolution so influential. I mean, let’s be honest for a second. Take a trip back to the mid-1990s to the punk scene, and listen to any two genuinely punk bands. It’s not hard to hear the obvious similarities, whether it be the sound of the guitars, the drumming patterns, or the lyrics about government suppression. Fast forward to Chasing Hamburg, where the diversity of each song is so prevalent that it leaves the listener clinging to each song, and anticipating the next one. Their track titled “Light of Local Eyes”, for example, displays their ability to execute a flawlessly perfected alternative rock style of song, without it sounding out of place.

When you’re lucky enough to run across a band like Polar Bear Club, don’t take it for granted. This sort of music is a beacon of hope for the state of popular music today. Support a great band by picking up Chasing Hamburg here.

Polar Bear Club is:

Jimmy Stadt – vocals
Chris Browne – guitar
Erik “Goose” Henning – bass
Nate Morris – guitar
Emmett Menke – drums

Rating: 9/10

Best Tracks? “See The Wind”, “Boxes”, “Take Me To The Town”, “Light Of Local Eyes”, “The Old Fisher Burial Ground”

Buy or Download? If you don’t buy this album, you’re supporting global warming. Pick it up as soon as humanly possible and support an incredibly talented band.