By Omar Tanamly (March 29, 2004)

Rating: .

Punchline’s new disc, titled "Action," is a rather splendid release that showcases the Pittsburgh-based, pop-punk band’s growth over the years. Don’t let their name fool you, this group is more than typical, third-tier, predictable blather, even though they may have been at one time. Their fourth collective release, "Action," offers 45:42 and 12 tracks of bittersweet and insanely catchy tunes while safely distanced from the borderline of repetitive. The CD is an ideal length, and each song is perfectly long enough to thoroughly enjoy, while not so short that it is aggravating. "Action" was released on independent label Fueled by Ramen, home of Fall Out Boy and Less Than Jake, and has been out since February 2004.

"Action" offers cool riffs thrown into the eclectic overall blend, to which each musician’s instrument adds nicely. Drummer PJ Caruso’s beats are solid and perfectly-suited to Punchline’s style, and bassist Chris Fafalios as well as dual singer/guitarists Paul Menotiades and Steve Soboslai add enticing hooks and choruses, quite worthy of multiple listens. However, on top of the concrete musical content, the real highlight on this release is the vocals. Menotiades and Soboslai may be singing traditional pop-punk lyrics (predominantly relationships), but the way they twist their voices mid-word, and adopt a very unique sound, makes up for what some would call their lack of novelty. Yet their lyrics also are not ridiculously repetitive and predictable, so don’t hold that against them before you hear this CD.

The album opens with the catchy "Open Up," and is followed by one of my personal favorites, "Not Afraid," that highlights both singers’ voices, but especially in previously-mentioned, alluring way they mold them magnificently. The next song, "The World," is the album’s first single, and like every song on this album, is easily likable and captivating. "Heart Transplant" is another highlight that incorporates slightly tougher vocals, adding a gratifying twist to the song, while "A Sharp is a Flat," also adds intriguing, novel elements that are pleasantly familiar yet less common on the rest of the album. Overall, "Action" is a fun, praiseworthy, rocking disc that does one better than you would think by being capable of pleasing the pop-punk fans of "Don’t Look Down" and "Never Heard of It," and hopefully fans of other genres as well. They’ve got this Thrice fan’s thumbs up anyway. Go to their website at www.punchkids.com to listen to some songs fro "Action." Check this CD out, and you’ll be singing along soon enough.

Tracklisting for "Action":

1. Open Up
2. Not Afraid
3. The World
4. Heart Transplant
5. Time in a Picture
6. Coldest of Calendars
7. Getting There is Getting By
8. Why is He Right?
9. Battlescars
10. A Sharp is a Flat
11. A Beautiful Green
12. Just Getting Started