Top 10 Pop-punk Albums

Pop-punk is an oft-maligned genre, but here are a few classic albums that show just how legit pop-punk can be.

1. Green Day – Dookie (Reprise, 1994)
Personal story: I heard “Basket Case” and straight up freaked out. I had never heard any form of punk rock before and I instantly fell in love with snotty vocals, buzz-saw guitars and quick tempos. This record sold around 15 million copies and is alternately lauded and criticized for bringing punk rock to the masses.
Favorite Joint: “When I Come Around”

2. The Offspring – Smash (Epitaph, 1994)
Eight simple words: “La la la la la la la la.” Listen to Dexter Holland and crew belt out “Self Esteem” and then try and get it out of your head. Try it, I freaking dare you. The rest of the album is equally catchy and innovative, with these Orange County punks throwing in enough curve balls to keep things interesting.
Favorite Joint: “Smash”

3. MxPx – Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo (A&M, 1998)
In 1998, indie faves MxPx took a shot at mainstream pop-punk stardom, starting with a music video that featured the scrappy trio playing “I’m OK, You’re OK,” in a snow globe. This album is a sing-along head bobber of a punk record, and even though some of their old school fans claimed they “sold out,” Buffalo still kept a lot of the band’s signature double-time skate punk jams.
Favorite Joint: “Tomorrow’s Another Day”

4. Saves The Day – Stay What You Are (Vagrant, 2001)
Some might pick Through Being Cool, but this record is a happy little marriage of pup-punk and emo that has Chris Conley alternately raging and whining about girls and whatever else. All this is done while his band churns out the sweetest fuzzed-out guitar anthems. Oh yeah, and the bass work is some of the best since Rancid’s Out Come The Wolves.
Favorite Joint: “Freakish”

5. Fall Out Boy – Take This To Your Grave (Fueled By Ramen, 2003)
Before they appeared in tabloids and stadiums, Fall Out Boy were actually a scrappy punk unit that churned out awesome songs. They wore eyeliner and girl pants and had pretentiously long song titles, but Grave features sweet pop hooks courtesy of frontman Patrick Stump, all laced with a little bit of hardcore, courtesy of guitarist Joe Trohman and drummer Andy Hurley. Oh, and Pete Wentz did some screaming and played bass, too.
Favorite Joint: “Grand Theft Autumn”

6. Rufio – MCMLXXXV (Nitro, 2003)
No one does speedy skate punk as well as Rufio, and this record is them at the top of their game. Skilled guitar harmonies and intricate beats make MCMLXXXV stand out from its contemporaries and anything else in the Nitro catalog. Every track is well-executed and, most of all, hummable.
Favorite Joint: “White Lights”

7. The Matches – E. Von Dahl Killed The Locals (Epitaph, 2004)
This feisty Oakland quartet burst onto the punk scene with frenzied, energetic live shows and amazing songs. While not as slick or artistic as the Matches records that came after, E. Von Dahl blends smart aleck wit, raw punk energy and expert musicianship for songs are instantly classic. Oh yeah, lead guitarist Jon DeVoto freaking shreds.
Favorite Joint: “Chain Me Free”

8. Tsunami Bomb – The Definitive Act (Kung Fu, 2004)
Goth girl punk never sounded so awesome as it did when it was belted out by Tsunami Bomb frontwoman Agent M. Startlingly powerful vocals and jagged guitars put The Definitive Act in a class of its own. A perfect mix of melancholy and melody.
Favorite Joint: “A Lonely Chord”

9. Go Betty Go – Nothing Is More (SideOneDummy, 2005)
This all girl quartet channel huge helpings of California sass into their Latin-infused blend of powerpop. Nicolette Vilar sings in English and Spanish, ranging in tone from snarky to serious, while her sister Aixa ruthlessly pounds the skins as hard as any dude. You don’t want to mess with these these ladies, but you will want to sing along.
Favorite Joint: “Runaway”

10. Motion City Soundtrack – Commit This To Memory (Epitaph, 2005)
MCS improved on the pup-punk formula by throwing a moog into the mix. A freaking moog. How’d they come up with that? They are freaking Minnesota geniuses, that’s how! Anyway, this record is insanely catchy and is basically revolutionary. The shape of punk to come.
Favorite Joint: “Everything is Alright”

This is obviously not a definitive list. Something left out? Think you can make a better pop-punk Top 10 list? Please leave yours in a comment.

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