Search - Bouncing Souls :: Hopeless Romantic

Just some great music

Wheelchair Assassin | The Great Concavity | 06/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are, of course, lots of bands combining punk and pop now, but the Bouncing Souls seem to have a special aptitude for throwing in bountiful pop hooks and humorous lyrics (e.g., "he's got penis envy denial") without diluting the music's punkish aggression. In other words, they seem to have the Ramones' feel-good punk formula down better than any other band I've heard. The result is a collection of catchy and anthemic tunes adressing such topics as drinking, friends, and girls. Virtually everywhere, the guitars are crunchy, the vocals enthusiastically barked, and the lyrics funny. Highlights include the aggressive opener "Hopeless Romantic," the nostalgic "'87," and the hilarious and insanely catchy "Bullying the Jukebox." Even as I write this review, I'm laughing hysterically at the duet "Wish Me Well, You Can Go to Hell." If you like punk, or any good music in general, this album is worth your money."

Punk Goes Nostalgic

bec | Sydney, Australia | 11/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Bouncing Souls have an innocent charm to them, opting for a combination of fast-paced fun songs and sweetly reminiscent ones instead of taking the angst-ridden approach of so many other modern punk bands. Songs such as '87, Night On Earth and Kid display the sensitive side of these guys who have the ability to expertly relate to their fans through their lyrics, and Kid especially taps into the punk mindset perfectly. Other songs such as Wish me Well, It's Not The Heat, It's The Humanity, Monday Morning Ant Brigade are as uplifting and fun lyrically as they are musically and Greg's vocals bring out that certain quality by which you can tell he's singing through a permanent smile. Personally I can't stand Ole, and god only knows how You're So Rad made the final cut - if I was Master of the Universe whoever made the decision to include it would be forced to swallow a sack full of nunchucks. As i'm not Master of the Universe (yet) I took a star off the rating instead. Nevertheless, putting aside that little mishap, the album is a classic from those sweet soccer-loving punks who you'd bet wouldn't hurt a fly."

They did it again...

Duane Mclemore | London, England | 12/31/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Bouncing Souls, purveyors of great, fun, bouncy yet streetwise punk rock. These Jersey kids have a perseverence that would put pretty much any other band to shame. In their earliest days, when they had just started playing, when no one liked their music, and when they couldn't even find a label to put them out, all of a sudden they're out on Chunksaah records. How you may ask? They started Chunksaah themselves. They have toured relentlessly their whole career, and have in the process, converted anyone whose cared to listen to their unique and rocking mix of joke songs, drinking songs, and love songs. Hopeless Romantic is probably their most listenable album, and while I recommend that you buy their 1994 release Manaiacal Laughter before or at the same time as you shell out for this, buy them both, for they are amazing."