Best Middle Age Punk Albums of 2023 for Middle Age Punks
Punk Rock isn't just for those young whippersnappers, out there Tik-Tok-ing and "Nay-Nay-ing," and... ok I can't keep this schtick up any longer.
The fact of the matter is we're all none of us getting any younger and while I continue to age, so does punk rock. The meme may be true about punk going to bed earlier but that doesn't mean we middle age punks can't get some noise in before lights out.
So, if you, like me, find yourself in your middle years but unwilling to let go of you punk rock sensibilities, this list is for you.
Remember, punk is a state of mind.
BEST MIDDLE AGE PUNK ALBUMS OF 2023 FOR MIDDLE AGE PUNKS
The Bouncing Souls - Ten Stories High
As a teen I fucking loved The Bouncing Souls goofball, good times, party punk. Then, as a man in his 20s, and one of a more "sophisticated" palette, I shunned the childish antics of the band, only to be brought careening back to my senses by their 2006 album "The Gold Record," one of the finest pieces of punk music ever made, and, I've been a sucker for them ever since.
"Ten Stories High" is not as good as The Gold Record, but it doesn't need to be when they've long ago perfected the art of writing simple, yet effective, catchy, emotional punk songs that actually make you want to sing along forever.
Jason Cruz and Howl - Wolves
I listened to this without knowing a damn thing about it other than Jason Cruz of the criminally underrated Strung Out was involved (gee, what gave that away). It's not Strung Out. Not even close. Well, kinda close, there is a reworked version of their song "Vampire," but now done in the twangy, country-ish, folky rock style that Jason's solo career is shaping up to be, and I fucking dig it.
I Still want more Strung Out though.
Dave Hause - Drive it Like it's Stolen
They say Dave Hause was in some punk bands, Paint it Black and The Loved Ones, but I'm more into his solo stuff, which is more singer/songwriter in style. He has that emotive style of writing stories with his music that makes me go a big rubbery one.
Fake Names - Expendables
After being in Minor Threat, Bad Religion, and Dag Nasty (among other bands), why Brian Baker isn't considered to be among the punk rock royalty is beyond me. Fuck, just being in one of those bands is enough to be granted that honor forever. Not content to sit around resting on his past endeavors, Brian continuously forms new bands with other punk rock luminaries, like last years '80s hardcore focussed Beach Rats, or the new album from his post-hardcore band Fake Names with dudes from Refused, S.O.A, and fucking Fugazi, it's like Brain Baker is the notary at the Middle Age Punk offices.
Jughead's Revenge - Vultures EP
I saw a new Jughead's Revenge release pop up and the part of my brain that hasn't thought about them since the '90s suddenly sparked to life with curiosity. What a pleasant fucking surprise – a handful of perfectly crafted pop punk singalongs and a out-of-left-field cover of Killing Joke's "Eighties" because why the fuck not.
The Dwarves - Concept Album
Admittedly, I'm not much of a fan of The Dwarves, but I respect the hustle. They've been out here just doing their fucking thing for decades, steady as ever. So I gave in, having been a spell since last I checked in with the band to find an album that is aggressively catchy and fun. I must have listened to the song "We Will Dare" a hundred fucking times.
Rancid - Tomorrow Never Comes
It's hard to deny the legendary status of Rancid at this fucking point and while I may not love their later era as much as their earlier this album is Rancid at their most distilled: 16 songs in 29 minutes. No fluff, no, bullshit. Just Rancid's tried and true punk rocking sensibilities delivered in a quick burst, then bounding away.
Lucero - Should’ve Learned By Now
Lucero doing what they do best – heartbreak love songs, tough times drinking, and hard lessons learned. What more could you want from them?
Frenzal Rhomb - The Cup of Pestilence
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that fucking Frenzal Rhomb had a new album out in this year of 2023. I had to know what a 2023 Frenzal Rhomb album would sound like. It sounds much like they did in 1998, when I listened to them the most, as if they were thawed out of some '90s skate punk cryogenics facility and set loose into the world.
MxPx - Find A Way Home
Much like Jughead's Revenge and Frenzal Rhomb, I needed to hear what MxPx sounded like in 2023 having not listened to them since "Chick Magnet" spread like wildfire in the '90s, and, it sounds like MxPx, which is to say pop punk played at insanely catchy levels.
Austin Lucas - Reinventing Against Me!
Austin lends their killer folk/country stylings out to cover their favorite Against Me! songs and the combination is like a brick through a Starbucks window.
False Fed - Let Them Eat Fake
There's now way a band made up of members of Discharge, Amebix, Nausea, and Ministry wasn't going make it on this list. I mean, come on. Do you even need me to describe this to you? Just go and listen to it.
Jeff Rosenstock - Hellmode
What I love most about Mr. Rosenstock is that he takes punk and twists and turns it into his own brand of raucous music. He's a true one-of-a-kind in a genre (and world) that sometimes is far too comfortable resting on tradition.