How fitting Point of Views‘ Sideshow Years stepped onto my iPod the day Obama was in LA pissing off the already congested street traffic. This punk band with a Ska centered flavor wasn’t doing it for me the first listen, I felt the lyrics were drowned out by the music and I was stuck writing “what’d he say?” all over my notes. Then giving it another go, it became this record that had songs for a good time like “Steady Demise of the American Drunk.” On the other end were songs with a social conscious like “Wealth is a Crime.”
The back and forth between the hyper Ska and the rapid punk pace was an interesting dynamic that allows for fans to predict their shows. One minute you’re bashing around, the next you’re skanking with pals.
Award for repeat listens for being awesome on Sideshow Years goes to the jabs at establishment. “All the Kings” men was a good blow, but it’s the one noting prescription drugs that was most keen. “The F.D.A. Steals Your Personality” would’ve been the perfect theme for the 2005 movie The Chumbscrubber, the story of how parents just throw anti-depressants at kids instead of zoning in on the real issues they have.
At work I sit on YouTube logging videos all day. I got assigned Christian and someone else got rock. All she picks is Vh1, Kings of Leon bands. It pisses me off that more bands like Point of View are being looked over. When I was younger and into today, appealing music was and is music that has something to say to a good backdrop. Sideshow Years is just that. It’s not just another pop punk band with some brass that songs about girls and not fitting in (which is awesome in its own way). This record is going to resonate musically with fans of the obvious Less Than Jake and even Mest crowd, but will grab socially aware people a well.
Remember, Sideshow Years is out now, so go get it yesterday so you’re not behind.
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