Chunksaah -Release Date: 1/12/10
In order to celebrate their 20th Anniversary, The Bouncing Souls released a new song each month last year via digital download. Every quarter, three to four songs were compiled and issued on limited edition vinyl as well. Ultimately, the band further appeased their fans and in 2010 made all 12 songs available as a full-length album, entitled Ghosts on the Boardwalk. The end result finds the Souls continuing to mature gracefully, occasionally nodding back at the past, but most importantly, writing some of the best songs of their career. The first noteworthy entry is “I Think That the World…”, which is a peppy and sincerely sappy love song that stomps along with a sturdy, cadenced purpose. The title track is exceptional too, as it exudes an introspective, U2-like vibe, mixed with some classic Bouncing Souls tendencies. Without a doubt, it’s one of the most memorable songs of their already lengthy tenure. “Dubs Stay True” and “We All Sing Along” lean more toward traditional punk rock territory and will happily remind fans of the Souls’ landmark album How I Spent My Summer Vacation. Conversely, “Big Eyes” and “Like the Sun” are somber, slow-paced ditties that showcase a band unafraid of maturing with poise and refinement. In the end, Ghosts on the Boardwalk stands as a testament to the Bouncing Souls’ greatness. Even casual fans of punk rock should immediately check this out, because these guys are unquestionably one of the top bands in the genre.
