Album Reviews

Tens is more proof that you can’t really go wrong with Midwestern punk rock. It all started when drummer Kyle Manning approached bassist/vocalist Ryan Smith about starting another band with vocalist/guitarist Mike Petruccelli. I did say ‘another band’, because between the three of them, they already play in Rapids, Fuck You Idiot, City Mouse Costanza, Two Houses and Texas Chainstore Manager.

So was it really necessary to start another band? Listening to the band’s self-titled debut, I can only go with yes. The eleven songs that make up the album are all big on hooks, melody and energy and have sing-along parts in all the right places. It’s the kind of songs you expect to hear at Fest where you then are faced with the impossible task of choosing between pumping your fist or enjoying your frosty PBR.

Opening track “Eternal Palms” starts off with a slight Alk 3 vibe, “Acid Reflux Redux” is as bitter as the title suggests, “Awkward Situation” is a nice fast one, and “Chicago Hope” works better as a punk rock song than a show about a hospital. Fans of the Dopamines and the Copyrights will find there’s very little wrong with this one.