Good Riddance

Trepidation runs high with the future of Good Riddance as front-man/guitarist Russ Rankin has been quite vocal about his disenchantment with the state of punk rock since 2003’s Bound by Ties of Blood and Affection. It was to the point where he said that the band’s next effort would either teach the kids how it’s done or avoid the "p” word altogether. Well, it’s neither. It’s just good old GR: fast, upbeat Southern California punk rock with heaps of soaring sing along choruses and the inevitable discontent slipping through otherwise positive lyrics. This is not altogether bad, as the anticipated grandiose departure could have been disastrous. Thankfully, My Republic holds enough sneer to be aggressive but enough mature restraint to be refreshing and fucking catchy. If anything, it finds the band slowing down at points and reaching into slightly darker territory. Both "Tell Me Why” and "Broken” explore the realms of Alkaline Trio and Art Of Drowning-era AFI more than sticking to their definitive Fat Wreck sound exemplified on, well, every other tune. It’s a wonderful shift for the band. They come off none the worse off despite seeing their beloved scene raped faster than a thousand old growth forests.