Smoking Popes, Stay Down

Stay Down is warm, familiar and just the kind of uncomplicated rock that I've been craving lately. There's nothing new or groundbreaking here, just punk-ish electric guitar arrangements, verse-chorus-verse and songs from boys about girls. But this band, now reunited after almost a ten-year break, have been around the block and they've made a well-crafted and catchy album full of simple pop-punk gems. The album opens with 'Welcome to Janesville,' a bright enthusiastic song with plenty of pounding electric guitar and a chorus that begs to be sung along to. From there it moves at its own relaxed pace, hitting the high points exactly when it needs to. This definitely feels like an album from an experienced band--there's no youthful rushing or sloppiness, no needing to prove themselves.

The excellent vocals take the album up a notch further. Josh Caterer's voice is clear and spot-on in every track, and when he's backed by his brother Matt, the harmonies are just outstanding. This is most evident on the last track 'First Time,' an acoustic look at young love that manages to be nostalgic and wistful without getting sappy. The straightforward riffs throughout the song, the understated lovely guitar solo and the pitch-perfect harmonies make this song just right for summer evenings, and my favorite on the album.