The Menzingers

The Menzingers: Chamberlain WaitsChamberlain Waits (2010)
Red Scare

Reviewer Rating: 4

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Contributed by: JeloneJelone
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Published on April 16th 2010The Menzingers have steadily built a fanbase since the release of their debut, A Lesson in the Abuse of Information Technology. Existing somewhere between the Clash and Billy Bragg, the group's live shows are frequently filled with anthems, humor and positive vibes. Sophomore album Chamberlain Waits.

The Menzingers have steadily built a fanbase since the release of their debut, A Lesson in the Abuse of Information Technology. Existing somewhere between the Clash and Billy Bragg, the group's live shows are frequently filled with anthems, humor and positive vibes. Sophomore album Chamberlain Waits shows that the group's knack for penning passionate political missives is still burning. During the 30 minutes the record occupies, everything in the universe is A-OK.

Chamberlain Waits is the logical followup to Lesson in that (A) the tunes are still folk-tinged punk gems, (B) the production got better and (C) this stuff makes me choose life. The group still knows when to toss out a Bragg-style solo number ("Male Call," in this case). Dudes could drop their own Talking with the Taxman About Poetry and I don't think anyone would object. And they still capture the Clash's spirit. Not so much the exact style--there's not enough bile or Jamaican influences to directly capture that group's various sounds--but the furious playing and vocals that alternate from barking to harmony at every turn certainly recall Joe Strummer and Mick Jones.

There are differences, of course, but they're subtle. The recording quality shot up a bit thanks to Matt Allison (Alkaline Trio, Lawrence Arms). The lyrics sound wearier (especially on "Home Outgrown," with its realization of "My heroes / I have forgotten them"). The hooks take slightly longer to bury themselves…by which I mean it might take two spins instead of one to realize that this is the punk album to beat in 2010.

Most listeners will probably get on board during that first listen, though. "Who's Your Partner" opens with chugging guitars and a hypnotic 4/4 bass drum 'n' toms beat. By the time the group sprinkles on a pinch of feedback, heads will be bobbing. Some fans might even vow to let "these simple songs get caught in our heads" before the band says the same thing. "Who's Your Partner" is just the opening salvo in a long line of triumphant jams. "I Was Born" should be familiar to those who picked up the group's digital single last month. "Home Outgrown" is a sad song that's really, really catchy, so it evens out.

The album keeps dishing out the hits after that. From the dance-punk-y "Deep Sleep" to the closing title track, Chamberlain Waits is a fat-free throat-scraper, and yet another reminder to catch the group's live shows.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Thumbs (May 21, 2012)

Thumbs up.

telegraphrocks (October 4, 2011)

Yeah.

BrainTrust (August 25, 2011)

Epic record. Can´t wait for their next output.

KamikazePizza (August 15, 2011)

This album is when ended up selling me on this band. Really quite diverse for a pretty straight-up punk band. Great vocals, great instrumentation. It's full youth and longing with and old-soul feel, but there's an immaturity to it that really makes it amazing. If anything, this album is a stepping stone for even better things to come. Now that these dudes are on Epitaph, I could totally see this album being their Goddammit. All in all, great punk rock, great folk, great rock and roll.

nofx0516 (May 14, 2011)

Not a bad track on here. I can't even pick a favorite song off the album...I guess it's between Who's Your Partner, Times Tables, Rivalries, and I Was Born. Thankfully they finally put this thing on vinyl.

xBadxAstronautx (March 16, 2011)

I can't believe how amazing this album is. I've been listening to it for several months and I'm still blown away every time. I haven't been this excited about an album since I first heard Against Me! (acoustic EP).

miguel (January 25, 2011)

pure fucking gold

mowlio (January 4, 2011)

Ok I guess, not top 20 material by a long shot though.

soundclash (September 29, 2010)

this tops my '10 list. Ive have not stopped listening to it since it first came out

Kursk64 (August 28, 2010)

Red Scare have the best of 2010 so far: this and Savages

kickaha (June 15, 2010)

Carlo_Cabinetti:
BK does backing vox on "So It Goes". He does the Higher pitched harmony during the "Chorus" - "Please seat yourself usher of the times won't recognize you".

meholicj (June 13, 2010)

On of the best punk records I've heard in a long time. Gotta be proud of these Scranton boys!

whatchokesbegin (June 1, 2010)

This album is absolutely fantastic and I definitely wish I had gotten into these guys sooner. Their first full-length is amazing, but this is pretty close.

thewayitshouldbe (May 18, 2010)

Disappointment much?

Alien (May 15, 2010)

This is fantastic. took me a few listens to get into it, but it's amazing.
Only bettered by 'cavalcade' so far this year.

encorp (May 9, 2010)

Yep; Time Tables fucking rocks. She wore a blue dress to combat the heat.....

FaithIsForFools (May 8, 2010)

forgettable

misterspike (May 5, 2010)

Enjoyed the last LP more. Maybe I"m missing something.

tris (May 2, 2010)

I realise I've missed the boat a bit but this album is fucking amazing. 'tasker morris station' is infuriatingly catchy, same with 'timetables', 'rivalries' and just about every other song. only bettered by 'cavalcade' so far this year.

hayman (April 19, 2010)

This is some good shit.

Irish_Punk_Is_Gimmickry (April 19, 2010)

11/10. even oldpunker likes it..................................................

jacknife737 (April 19, 2010)

just fantastic, could possibly be my favorite album of the year.

FaithIsForFools (April 19, 2010)

Oh yeah... the vocalist are fucking terrible too. How is this shit passing for singing these days?

2/10

FaithIsForFools (April 19, 2010)

Brilliant? Sure, I can see that... if you're 15 years old.

Boring. Generic. The opposite of original.

4thand26 (April 19, 2010)

That "fucking loser" Carcillo and his teammates are about to bounce an overrated 2 seed out of the playoffs. Enjoy the offseason golf, Marty.

Excellent listen from an excellent band. Love that there are bands like the Menzingers to restore the faith every once in a while.

brokenrecord (April 19, 2010)

Time Tables is the best song so far in then year imo.

I threw my remote at the TV when that fucking loser Carcillo scored in OT
Man do I hate the Flyers.

encorp (April 19, 2010)

This fucking album is brilliant.

Thank god bands like this exist; give us some light in the fucking tunnel for god sakes.

sporkandfoon (April 18, 2010)

This is a great album. This is definitely one of my favorite bands right now.

fuzzy (April 18, 2010)

Toby-
I didn't want to pull a "Jeg" and review my close friends' album. Although this is like a 9.5/10 in my book. Easily going to be album of the year.

jalfa87 (April 18, 2010)

American Slang leaked!!

Deadpan (April 18, 2010)

So when is this getting a physical UK release?

nocigar (April 18, 2010)

Grue: did you really refer to Gaslight as boring folk punk? You know nothing about music then. This album is seriously awesome though, especially "Time Tables". My song of 2010 for sure.

racecargrin (April 17, 2010)

This album is the tits. Particularly "Time Tables," "Home Outgrown," and Tasker-Morris Station.

avery7190 (April 17, 2010)

Absolutely stunning album and hasn't left my CD player yet. Best of 2010 for me.

Blackjaw_ (April 17, 2010)

I knew everyone would just try to ignore the totally outdated and awful screaming that pops up a few times throughout the album.

cbsrocksteady (April 17, 2010)

i love this. i dont know if i love it as much as A Lesson but i'm sure it will grow on me. i really recognize the maturity on this record however. I think i'm happy that this is taking more time to digest than A Lesson. i feel like everything on that record i got right away and sometimes that can be a bad thing. having this record take its time to unveil its greatness might be better in the long run.

favorite songs are Tasker-Morris Station and So It Goes. funny no one else mentioned those songs, but I feel like they demonstrate perfectly the natural progression of this band from A Lesson to HOD to this.

mattramone (April 17, 2010)

Been trying to get into it, but it's just not clicking for me.

R3vengeTherapy (April 17, 2010)

This one is growing on me. I didn't like this band's earlier stuff at all, but this record is a pretty welcome surprise.

"Time Tables" is a fantastic song that I cannot remove from my fucking brain.

oldpunkerforever (April 17, 2010)

simply brilliant-oldpunker-

Grue (April 17, 2010)

I was expecting some boring folk punk in the vein of Gaslight, but this album kicks so much ass. Best song: Time Tables.

macbethmystery (April 17, 2010)

I melt every time I hear the chorus of "Home Outgrown". Strong contender for album of the year, for sure.

Carlo_Cabinetti (April 17, 2010)

Cracking album, as expected...will probably buy the CD on top of what I got from iTunes just for the booklet... ya know just out of interest, what songs does BK do back-ups on?

jamespastepunk (April 17, 2010)

How good is Time Tables, though? Great record.

killtaker (April 17, 2010)

Loving this album.
I ordered this and a few other things from the Red Scare store today...can't wait to see these guys at Insubordination Fest.

redscare (April 16, 2010)

Alt Press gave this record a 9/10 while PNO gave it an 8. Take THAT, Fuzzy!

patod (April 16, 2010)

9.5/10
Completely amazing, A couple years down the road this will be viewed as a modern classic, no doubt.

saladfingers (April 16, 2010)

Time tables and Rivalries are easily 2010's best songs.

skankbook (April 16, 2010)

The first time I saw the Menzingers was in (I want to say) 2006... at the time they were just some band from the county over opening for an established band. Four years later, they've released an album that I've listened to at least twice a day for a week and a half now. "Sink or Swim" was the last album that had this effect on me. "Time Tables" will go down as my song of the year.

jaydischord (April 16, 2010)

Ive been playing it all week...fantastic album.

Unrelated.....

http://twitpic.com/1fxtph

SpAgetttt (April 16, 2010)

wow and I havent stolen this yet because Im going to buy it... jokes on me

DarrenMcLeod (April 16, 2010)

Album is fantastic, one of the best I've heard all year. My one complaint, though, is the screeching vocals at the end of "Home Outgrown." Hurts my ears a little. Other than that, very solid disc.

Dante3000 (April 16, 2010)

Yeah, that just made my day. I'm also willing to openly admit to being up for sale.

RedScare (April 16, 2010)

Yo Dante, I sent out your order. We ran outta Menz CDs for a bit so I feel kinda bad. In any case, it's on the way. I threw in some pins and patches and free CD (the OOP Lillingtons "Backchannel Broadcast) in hopes of making up for it. Most importantly, I really appreciate that you ordered stuff. Good to know people will still pay for this shit. Cheers!

fuzzy (April 16, 2010)

Best thing.

drHankMcCoy (April 16, 2010)

great album, great live band. their cover of Straight to Hell was stupendous

james_madison (April 16, 2010)

This album outpaced A Lesson by a mile for me. That record had a few missteps here and there, I thought, and this improved on all of them. Great release.

exitenglish1208 (April 16, 2010)

great record, been listening to this and cavalcade on loop for a while now. absolutely love it, particularly time tables and rivalries

theandrew (April 16, 2010)

Fucking amazing album. Not one bad song on it. I doubt any other album is going to top this for me this year.

xshoutoutx (April 16, 2010)

I really enjoy it, but wish they would've kept going down more of the melodic route like on Hold On Dodge... that being said, there are definitely some bangers on here... they're just a bit more subtle than some of their previous "hits." Album of the year to beat is RVIVR!!!!

thirstyandmiserable (April 16, 2010)

album kills. IT KILLS!

slymer (April 16, 2010)

This hasn't left my truck CD player in a week. I'd say album of the year so far.

TheChemist (April 16, 2010)

I absolutely love the tracks I enjoy on here but there's about 2 or 3 songs that left me wondering why they were on there in the first place. But in the end, this is much better than the first. But I don't think we've seen their best record yet.

Dante3000 (April 16, 2010)

I'm actually waiting for my copy to come in the mail...Like a sucker.

thepopeofchili-town (April 16, 2010)

Great record, but I was expecting a little more. I think putting "My Friend Chris" on the album would have pushed it over the edge and made it that much better. Super stoked to see them with Against Me! and Dead To Me in a few weeks.

bryne (April 16, 2010)

Nailed it.

ericaisawesome (April 16, 2010)

Hasn't left my ears. Not a weak song on this for me.