There are no hard and fast rules on following up a breakthrough album, and the waters only become muddier when you’re a punk band. The Menzingers set a new bar, and ushered in a legion of soundalikes, with ‘On The Impossible Past’ two years ago and ‘Rented World’ poses the age-old question: more of the same or something new?
It’s a conundrum that the band largely negotiate with poise, playing up their debt to ‘90s alt-rock more than ever before, while revisiting their tab of regrets for a further slate of intospective, desperate lyrics, but they are unable to escape its pull entirely. For all its high points, ‘Rented World’ is weighed down by a mid-section that betrays a powerful opening and sells short a perfectly-judged conclusion.
When they click, as they do immediately with the addictive I Don’t Wanna Be An Asshole Anymore, the Menzingers are still playing a different game to their contemporaries. Their blend of head and heart, searing melodies and evocative words has become almost quintessential. And no-one - no-one - writes bridges like this lot.
In the opening song, Rodent, In Remission, Sentimental Physics and Where Your Heartache Exists they have the spine of a world-beater. But, Transient Love and The Talk can’t recreate the beautiful back and forth they laid down with On The Impossible Past and Nice Things, while My Friend Kyle kicks hard but doesn’t leave a lasting mark.
Taken as a whole ‘Rented World’ is hamstrung by its best moments, never attaining the flow of its predecessor. But, with all attempts at giving it a clean slate considered, replicating the success of ‘On The Impossible Past’ would have been, well, impossible. Here the Menzingers show that they are still evolving and still able to make you scream your heart out. They’re a band to cherish, even when they stumble.
The Menzingers Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Wed April 30 2014 - LONDON Old Blue Last
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