Album Review: The Finer Things by State Champs

Photo from Amazon

Words by: Emily Racanelli

Pop-punk serves its purpose with The Finer Things, creating an ambience that will make you realize that you’re “finally acquiring the state of mind that everything’s gonna be alright.” Let’s be honest, this debut studio album from Albany, NY natives State Champs is not out to redefine punk music. It does not rely heavily on computer-produced electronics or vocal tuning, rather it lets the instruments speak for themselves. The record exemplifies the upbeat, fast-tempo punk music with lyrics that you want to blast in the midst of a quarter life crisis. So basically, it is generic pop-punk.

‘Generic’ is not used as an insult here. To better explain, it means that State Champs have produced pop-punk music at it’s finest, starting with opening track “Elevated.” The initial riff is reminiscent of those by pop-punk grandpas (they have been around forever!) New Found Glory. It is easy to play but insanely catchy and something that you want to sing as much as the lyrics. But this song isn’t just about the riffs, it’s about the lyrics. Specifically, the line “I can show you what it’s like to be down when you’re all alone.” It conveys the typical teenage angst and sadness about being in a mental state where you just keep sinking lower and lower. Despite the darkness in it, the beat of the song is able to bring a lighter tone that won’t make your parents want to send you to therapy when they hear it blasting in your room.

All that built up sadness and loneliness leads to anger in “Hard To Please.” It shares a similar opening riff (as compared to “Elevated”) but takes on a better crescendo effect when transitioning from the bridge to the final verse. The nearly mute instruments cut out for a quick a-cappella moment before everything culminates. Vocalist Derek DiScanio passionately yells, “Maybe I’m a bad person/Maybe I don’t wanna walk before I crawl.” These are the words you might scream to someone when you have finally had enough of their ‘constructive criticism.’ They are emblematic of the crescendoing music, with feelings escalating over time until all you want to do is admit your faults and accept that you just don’t do things the conventional way.

Speaking of unconventional, it is important to note “Mind Bottled.” This is a song that truly cannot make up it’s mind of what it wants to talk about. First, it echoes resentment with “And I tried to find a way/To follow footsteps away from my hometown.” By the end of the song, optimism is thrown in with “I’m not afraid when I’ve got something left to give.” This back and forth is a metaphor of State Champs’ fan base, and this is meant in the nicest way possible. The band doesn’t just speak lines that can be relatable, but also establishes a personality connection. Kids in their teens and early 20s are plagued by ups and downs. One second you can face the world, and the next you just want to run away from everything. State Champs understands that you feel like this; you are not alone! DiScanio even admits that sometimes “I’m in that state of mind/Where I bottle everything inside my head/And stare at the ground.” Just when you thought these boys were another pop -punk band complaining about their hometown, they go and throw in a line that hits us all square in the chest!

The Finer Things may be a little square (square means typical, kids!) in its fast-paced style of music and overall theme of teenage angst and confusion. However, the fact that a band could make an album that sticks so rigidly to the confines of a genre and still stands out is remarkable. I would say that State Champs should show off some diversity with an acoustic album, but they already beat me to the punch! The Acoustic Things is a true indication that these boys are no one-trick ponies. All I can say is that I hope the next full length will be ‘The Finest Things.’

Be sure to catch State Champs supporting All Time Low on the Future Hearts Tour this spring!