Album Reviews

The Dopamines are finally back with the follow-up to 2017’s ‘Tales Of Interest’. Out this Friday on guitarist Josh Goldman’s Rad Girlfriend Records, ‘80/20’ is a more than just solid return to form for the Cincinnati-based band.

With the help of Grammy-winning producer Chris Dugan (Green Day, Weezer), the band takes their trademark raw energy, melodic tendencies and lyrics that are too honest for their own good and turn it all into a 13-song barrage of gritty pop punk that can be described as polished if it wasn’t constantly teetering on sonic chaos.

If you ever find yourself muttering under your breath that what passes as pop punk nowadays is shit, the Dopamines have got you covered. Think classic Lookout! Records, Dillinger Four or Banner Pilot on a bender and you are pretty close to the mark. 

Lyrically, "80/20" finds the band taking a deep dive into themes of alienation, addiction, and the search for meaning through the lens of a chaotic punk band. Add breakneck tempos, buzzsaw guitars and some mighty fine songwriting and you are looking at an album that is proof that the Dopamines are capable of making good decisions when they aren’t seemingly hellbent on destroying themselves.

80/20 track listing:

1. Wedge
2. For Heaven’s Sake Pt. 2
3. The Doctor
4. Tamper Resistant
5. State of Being
6. The Other Room
7. Save Your Beers
8. Jon Goes to Camp
9. Parasites Lost
10. Groundhog Day Parade
11. The Vow
12. Treatment Center Blues
13. 80/20