Morbid Stuff

For a band whose acronym stands for "pathetic use of potential," Toronto punks PUP continue to maintain a surprisingly high standard on their third full-length outing. As its title suggests, Morbid Stuff is an album rife with themes of depression, chaos, heartbreak, and general morbidity, but in typical PUP fashion, this sense of bleakness is transmuted into heroic blasts of power, humor, and some of the catchiest songs they've ever written. At the heart of their sound is frontman and chief songwriter Stefan Babcock, whose frenetic ranting somehow manages to convey desperate outrage and friendliness in equal measure. As tongue in cheek as some of their songs may be, there's a big heartedness to PUP's music that gives it sincerity which, combined with their increasingly solid musicianship, makes for a winning combo. Emitting the confessionalism of emo, the big sugary hooks of pop-punk, and the unchecked raw energy of classic hardcore, Morbid Stuff is also laced with plenty of nifty little rhythmic intervals that add even more weird flair to its mix. At the album's vanguard are the excellent title track and the equally engaging lead single, "Kids," two standout cuts that deliver the best of what PUP have to offer. Loaded with thick harmonies, heavy guitar stacks, infectious melodies, and Babcock's rabble-rousing shouts, the onslaught continues with additional highlights like "See You at Your Funeral" and "Bloody Mary, Kate and Ashley." Amid the full-bore wall of guitars that make up most of the album's mass are some nice tonal breakdowns like the introspective acoustic intro to "Scorpion Hill" and the dreamy group harmonies that close out "Bare Hands." Morbid Stuff reflects the steady growth all around for these fine Canadians who keep showing up with buckets of great material. ~ Timothy Monger