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Bouncing Souls

Hopeless Romantic (1999)
Epitaph Records

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Contributed by: mattp330
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on March 31st 2006

In such a short period of time, it is amazing to see the boundaries and extremes "punk" music has hit. I'm not an elitist, and I will never post on a message board "why is news about (insert band name here) being posted, I thought this was punknews.org." There is a point to all this rambling; for all the naysaying that runs rampant on this site, there is one band that almost everyone agrees is actually "punk," and in 1999 they released a remarkable album. That band is the Bouncing Souls, and that album is Hopeless Romantic.

Up untill 1999 the Souls had always been a solid if not, dare I say, inconsistent band. While all albums up to this point had flashes of brilliance, I somehow felt they weren't complete. With Hopeless Romantic, the band's second release for Epitaph, the Souls showed what they were capable of.

The title track comes roaring out of the gate with its tale of a true hopeless romantic. Following is the 1-2 punch of "'87" and "Kid." "'87" is the standard song by the Souls of the way life used to be and holding on to the memories, while "Kid" might be one of the catchiest numbers the band has written, even though the lyrics have the album's constant theme of heartbreak.

You can't really pinpoint what makes this album so great. The backup vocals help really make this band, and they are spot on, as is the guitar playing of The Pete. Maybe it's the song "Night on Earth" in which Bryan plays a groove you can get lost in that you never want to stop. It also could be that the Souls still let their humorous side shine with songs like "Wish Me Well (Go to Hell)" but also keep you singing along and have you relating.

The Souls have seen it all -- they have been homeless, they have worked 9-5, as evident in the wickedly catchy "Monday Morning Ant Brigade." Every track has a story that you all can relate to. The Souls lost none of their love of punk music or playing fast, they just learned that you can take it down a notch and be just as effective as they tightened up their playing.

Honesty, love, memories, and loss are all represented on this album. No posing and no faking, these are things that can't be disputed on a message board.

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Anonymous (May 3, 2006)

This is my favorite Souls record. New one is up there, but this takes the cake over all of 'em.

Just my opinion though, what do I know.

madcow (April 15, 2006)

Am I the only one who liked "It's not the heat, it's the humanity"?

I fucking love that song.

Anonymous (April 6, 2006)

Whats weird about this album is, i think its their worst and weakest, but one of my favorite souls songs is "Night on Earth"

Hopless Romanatic is a great song. 87, and Kid are outstanding.

But it also gets real weak. I think Bullying the Jukebox is kinda annoying, and Monday morning ant brigade is probally the worst souls song ever written.

All in all, id take this album over most other bands albums any day. I love this band.

1. Manical Laughter
2. s/t
3. Anchors Aweigh
4. Good, Bad, Argyle
5. Summer Vacation
6. Hopeless Romantic

Anonymous (April 5, 2006)

1- How I spent My Summer Vacation
2-The Good the Bad the Argyle (would be #1 if not for inspection station)
3-Maniacal Laughter
4-Anchor's Aweigh & Self titled (shark attack and i like your eyes rank as well as inspection station otherwise i may put it alone at 4)
5-Hopeless Romantic (contrary to the reviewer i would say that this album is one of their weakest lyrically)

Being old and from Jersey i'm pretty partial to the first two albums they are a part of my youth and some of the first records that got me into punk, but there is not a bad song on Summer Vacation, Hopeless Romantic is their worst album by far too me.

Anonymous (April 5, 2006)

who's gonna throw the toilet? who's gonna throw the toilet off the roof?

paul

Anonymous (April 4, 2006)

Oh and last summer I took my shirt off at the beach and a girl laughed at me. Summer blows too.

Anonymous (April 4, 2006)

I fucking hate the ocean, it's cold and filled with sharks, and that's on the west coast. Don't even get me started on the bastard that is the Atlantic Ocean.

Anonymous (April 4, 2006)

I know I'm in the minority but The Bouncing Souls so called inspirational songs like Kid and True Believers just come off way too hokey and cornball and don't evoke any kind of real emotion in me. I much prefer them singing songs about throwing the toilet off the roof. Flame away.

Anonymous (April 4, 2006)

1. How I spent My Summer Vacation
2. Hopeless Romantic
3.S/T
4.Anchors Aweigh
5.The Good, the Bad, and the Argyle
6.Maniacal Laughter

MrKaine (April 3, 2006)

Am I the only one who liked "It's not the heat, it's the humanity"?

Anonymous (April 3, 2006)

Great album. A lot of people dislike it, saying it's not the real bouncing souls. I can see what they're saying on a couple of songs, but besides those few, the rest of the album is a great one to listen to all the way thru.

Anonymous (April 3, 2006)

disclaimer: I realize kate is great is arguably their best song. OTHER THAN THAT, i think Hopeless was a drastic improvement over the s/t.

paul

ps. hating this band makes no sense. might as well hate hot dogs or hamburgers or summer or the ocean while you're at it.

Anonymous (April 3, 2006)

my second favorite souls album, after 'summer vacation'...it doesnt get much better than "87" "kid" "hopeless romantic" and "night on earth". what brings it down is the kinda crappy second half of the album, but it was still a drastic improvement overall from the s/t effort and lead to their grand slam best album 'summer vacation' 2 summers later.

paul

Anonymous (April 3, 2006)

My fiance is a hopeless romantic and this album makes me love him more, Inspirational humor!

OnTheAttack (April 2, 2006)

Terrible review. Solid, yet inconsistent? If you read the lyrics to "Kid" you'll see that its a pretty inspirational and uplifting song, not one of heartbreak.

jockmcbored (April 2, 2006)

this album is typical of all the pre-summer vacation stuff - some excellent songs and some cringerworthy ones (especially with some of the vocals)

now as a brit who loves his football (soccer as you guys call it) ole is a horrendous song - its just so cringeworthy its untrue. no one even sings ole at footy matches. christ almighty i can't believe people like that song

great band but some god awful songs in their discography

Cos (April 1, 2006)

I love Shal's drumming, precisely because its not very good. Part of the band definitely died when he left. There's not as much goofiness anymore. Now the guys just seem to be about THE ROCK. They're still good, just not as fun.

This is my favorite BS albums. Far and away.
--Cos

Anonymous (April 1, 2006)

Great album!

feeeding5000 (April 1, 2006)

Okay..the "not punk" argument was childish and stupid. You get points for that. But, really, I don't think any of the '90s pop-punk bands are going to endure except NOFX (because of popularity, and posturing) and Bad Religion (because of popularity, skill, and good songwriting).

GlassPipeMurder (April 1, 2006)

good album, not a very good review.

Anonymous (April 1, 2006)

Dude, have you ever listened closely to the Souls' drummer on some of the earlier albums? Motherfucker is AWFUL. He only plays quarters on the hi-hats during the doubletime punk parts. You can get away with that if you are in a thrash band or something, but not when your band plays midtempo punk. Listen to the Tie one On record too...just horrible.

Anonymous (April 1, 2006)

dude below, those lyrics are wrong.

Anonymous (April 1, 2006)

"I've heard a lot of people say what they think is love/ Well I know what it means to me I fall in love so easily."
I can't think of a bettter way to start a record. This is good stuff.

SlackMFr (April 1, 2006)

"Summer Vacation" & "Maniacal Laughter" are my favorites, but "Hopeless" does have some great tunes, namely "Night On Earth" & "Wish Me Well". Pretty much all their stuff is good except that cover song of "I Know What Boys Like". I hated the original version of that song and it's so damn annoying that I don't think I'd like it done by any band.

Anonymous (April 1, 2006)

good review. good album. summer vacation still slays as the best souls album...but this shit definitely is good as hell.

Anonymous (April 1, 2006)

this album is good as fuck. however it falls behind "summer vacation" and "self titled". the souls are arguably the best punk band of the last decade. cant wait to see them again touring for the new one.

sickboi (April 1, 2006)

"Monday Morning Ant Brigade" is easily their most underappreciated and underplayed songs ever. Its such a testament to their style. The kazoo fucking rocks, and the breakdown/bridge at the end is just amazing. Simplistic genious.

Anonymous (March 31, 2006)

"And I have to say, I don't think they're really all that punk."

hahahaha. oh man kids still do the "band A is more punk than band B" game? don't you have an aus rotten or vibrators review that needs to go up soon?

rkl (March 31, 2006)

(A) s/t
(2)maniacal laughter
(3)hopeless romantic
(4a) bs/af split
(4b)the bad the worse the out of print
(5)how i spent my summer vacation
(6) the good the bad the argyle
(7) anchors aweigh

cracked & kate is great vault the s/t far above everything else, imo.

Anonymous (March 31, 2006)

very great, i liked all their albums only anchors aweigh is not that goo....

WingsOutside (March 31, 2006)

Yeah, honestly, The Souls could probley play country-influenced britney spears cover songs, and I'd still like them... :D

Anonymous (March 31, 2006)

I have a prejudice. I can't like a person who doesn't like the Bouncing Souls. I just can't. When a band is this uplifting, this inspirational, this unpretentious and this dedicated to fun and friendship, I cannot comprehend someone not liking it.

WingsOutside (March 31, 2006)

Souls arn't really about being "Punk" or not, it is more just about a really REALLY good ability to infuse "generic" sounding songs with so much emotion that most of their fans have a genuine connection to the band, that they shall always be loyal.

They are also awsome ppl, and their live shows are incredibly fun. (Anyone who doesn't go crazy when they play The Argyle live is out of their mind, this goes for True Believers and K8 is Gr8 as well.)

TheresNoHopeForTheKids (March 31, 2006)

I can't stand this band, and nor do I understand all the hype/fandom with them. It's very generic Epitaph stuff, part of it Bad Religion, part of it the whole early 90's skatepunk deal. Great for Vans commercials, not great for music.

I also hate it when people begin reviews with some idiotic "WELL SUM PEOPLES CONSIDER THIS PUNK BUT OTHERS DONT BUT I THINK ITS PUNK" or some shit. JUST PUT THE REVIEW UP. If YOU have to question your own damn review... Jesus.

Alright, carry on.

feeeding5000 (March 31, 2006)

...Hate to be an asshole, but OH MY GOD, do I HATE this band. I don't know what it is that I don't like, but there's something about them that just makes me want to turn it off. They're either too pop, or not pop enough. They're not "posers", and they're not really "sellouts"...I just don't like their music. And I have to say, I don't think they're really all that punk. Listen to this against BR, and you'll see that lack of a message. Listen to this against Born Against, and you'll see that it's not all that "punk." Hell, listen to the Vindictives, and tell me which has more of a punk sound/attitude..

Anonymous (March 31, 2006)

First album that got me into the souls - i still like it - i just kind of feel all their songs are starting to run together. I mean, does every song have to be about the radio? That's why i like 'anchors aweigh' so much. Nothing earth-shattering, but has a bit of a darker and different sound than the rest of their albums. However, i'd say 'undeniable' is my favorite song ever by the souls. Dammit - now i want to listen to them. Alright - still love 'em. I'm retarded.

the_other_scott (March 31, 2006)

my list was better than any of yours. kidding. but seriously.

and willy zabka. hopeless is full of filler. there's only like 5 great tracks on there.

Anonymous (March 31, 2006)

My favorite souls record

This band means so much to me, I can't wait for the new one

WilliamZabka (March 31, 2006)

This is my favorite CD from the Souls... probably because of the time it came out, I was a senior in high school and I played it every day of the summer and it just brings back good memories with awesome music.

I haven't liked the two albums they've done since this one. Don't get me wrong, I love "True Believers" "Gone" "Private Radio" "Sing Along Forever" and "Anchors Aweigh"
BUT
those albums have a TON of filler. And even though their new drummer is better than the old drummer.. there's just something about Shal's drumming that makes the old albums so awesome to listen to .. and the new era of Bouncing Souls just don't have complete records like they used to.

bobbett (March 31, 2006)

1. how i spent my summer vacation
2. s/t
3. anchors aweigh
4. maniacal laughter
5. hopeless romantic
6. the good the bad and the argyle
7. the bad the worse and the out of print

Anonymous (March 31, 2006)

1. summer vacation
2. anchors aweigh
3. hopeless romantic
4. maniacal
5. s/t

my top 5. the new album will probably be amazing. comes out 6/6/06.

skolarx (March 31, 2006)

the title track on this album is the only bouncing souls song i've ever liked. ever

Anonymous (March 31, 2006)

least favorite souls album

Anonymous (March 31, 2006)

classic album art

crazytoledo (March 31, 2006)

This is very good...

CUAPUNKRADIO (March 31, 2006)

Night On Earth is scary good, especially live. when the pete keeps hitting that one note over and over all you feel is the fucking chills. one of the best melodic/slower punk songs to date. this cd as a whole lacks in my opinion. there are about 5-6 classics yet also 5 bummers. Summer vacation slays this cd

Anonymous (March 31, 2006)

Brilliant, although Summer Vacation still is tops in my book-oldpunker

Anonymous (March 31, 2006)

i really love the last song on here.

wyzo

almostpunkenough (March 31, 2006)

wtf? i never realized this wasn't reviewed. i woulda done it years ago.

it's so hard to rank Souls albums, and i'm too buzzed to bother right now.

currently 'Bryan's Lament' is my favorite song though.... or 'That Something Special'... fuck there's so many.

TheOneTrueBill (March 31, 2006)

This was the first Souls album I got. I found it used not too long after it came out and I was still new to the whole punk thing and recognized the name and the Epitaph logo. It was probably one of the best impulse purchases I ever made even though I didn't fully get into them until I first saw them two years later.

dietcokeofpunk (March 31, 2006)

my idea of "bullying the jukebox" Pick a god awful song, my normal choices would include the dix chix, or clay aiken...something along those lines. Then play $5 worth of said song, usually breaks down to 10 plays. after the first play, leave.

OzmanX (March 31, 2006)

Not their best, I only like the first half of the record.

1.How I spent My Summer Vacation
2. Maniacal Laughter
3.Anchors Aweigh
4.S/T
5.The Good, The Bad, the Argyle
6.Hopeless Romatnic

Anonymous (March 31, 2006)

no fuckin way this gets four stars
this is easily the most inconsistent record the souls have put out (except for the b-sides album)
dont get me wrong, i love the souls to death, but i CRINGE when listening to this all the way through
it does have its finer points in "hopeless romantic" and "kid", but "bullying the jukebox" and "wish me well" are fucking god-awful
2 and a half stars, 3 on a good day

dietcokeofpunk (March 31, 2006)

how can you not include Ole as one of the best songs on the cd??

oLe oleoleole ole ole

Anonymous (March 31, 2006)

by far their best

the_other_scott (March 31, 2006)

how has this not been reviewed?

and in order.

1. summer vacation
2. manical laughter
3. self-titled
4. argyle
5. their side of the anti-flag split
6. hopeless romantic
7. anchors aweigh
8. live
9. bad worse and out of print
10. tie on one

sorry i'm kind of a nerd when it comes to this band

joeg (March 31, 2006)

i'm surprised this hasn't been reviewed yet. this is my favorite souls record. i'd rank em:

1. hopeless romantic
2. maniacal laughter
3. self titled
4. how i spent my summer vacation
5. the good, the bad and the argyle
6. anchors aweigh

notfeelingcreative (March 31, 2006)

"They are one of the five or so bands I'd be willing to get a tattoo of. "

I'm scared of needles, but if I were going to get tatoos as tributes to bands they would be: Social D, Crass, Bouncing Souls, but I'd rather not pay my hard earned money to be branded with needles causing me to have to cover them for job interviews, dates on other such events. No disrespect intended to those who have tatoos, though.

notfeelingcreative (March 31, 2006)

To jump on Godfather's ranking of souls albums:

1. Maniacal Laughter
2. Anchors Aweigh
3.How I spent My Summer Vacatuin
4.S/T
5.The Good, The Bad, the Argyle
6.Hopeless Romatnic

Favorite songs: Kate Is Great, Night On Earth, I'm From There

Anonymous (March 31, 2006)

shark attack did it for me, the st is definitely better

SalsaShark (March 31, 2006)

God, I love this band so much. I cannot wait to see them on Warped Tour. They are one of the five or so bands I'd be willing to get a tattoo of. That's just how much I love them.

I'm a hopeless romantic, you're just hopeless

Anonymous (March 31, 2006)

i think the st is better but im gonna double check and take a listen to this one again

Anonymous (March 31, 2006)

goin' to see them 6 nights in a row in june at the knitting factory for the record release. i cannot wait.

notfeelingcreative (March 31, 2006)

My least favorite record from one of my favorite bands.

BTown (March 31, 2006)

I agree with your first statement. I can't think of anyone on this site that has said a bad thing about this band.
Good album. Every album I have of theirs is awesome so it's hard for me to categorize their best.

Godfather (March 31, 2006)

1. how i spent my summer vacation
2. maniacal laughter
3. s/t
4. anchors aweigh
5. hopeless romantic
6. the good the bad and the argyle
7. the bad the worse and the out of print