The Wonder Years’ fifth studio release, No Closer to Heaven, dropped in September, is a concept album surrounding the loss of a loved one. While lead singer/songwriter Dan “Soupy” Campbell is no stranger to penning concept records — the trilogy of The Upsides (2010), Suburbia I’ve
Bookending what should be a high-energy and cathartic punk-rock show is Motion City Soundtrack, which, not to be overshadowed by its touring partners, has its own critically acclaimed album in tow. Panic Stations, the sixth LP from the Minnesota natives, is a punchy, raucous record that leaps and bounces with sizzling vigor. While it’s more fun and light than what the Wonder Years have on offer, there’s no reason to take Panic Stations any less seriously. Founding members Justin Pierre (vocals/guitar), Joshua Cain (lead guitar/backing vocals), and the rest of the band locked themselves in the remote Pachyderm Studio (home to the recording of Nirvana’s In Utero) for 14 days and knocked out each of the album’s 11 songs in often one take.
It’s the first record the band has ever live-tracked and, packed with the effervescent, Moog-flavored power-pop fans have come to love, Panic Stations may have finally captured its live experience in the richest, most robust endeavor of Motion City Soundtrack’s career.
The Wonder Years and Motion City Soundtrack
6 p.m. Thursday, November 19, at Revolution Live, 100 SW Third Ave, Fort Lauderdale. Tickets cost $21.50 plus fees. Call 954-449-1025, or visit ticketmaster.com.