Welcome to the launch of our new article series - Traffic Circle Pit - usually on the way to work I will listen to various albums, here's my thoughts on either a song, album, band, or maybe some days something not music related at all.
This is an article series I am creating to put all the time husk stuck in traffic to good use, thus the name "Traffic Circle Pit" - a play on words to give a nod to the shitty traffic circles in Jersey and the circle pit, which I'm sure all of us in the scene have been sucked in to at least once in their lives when some jackass singer eggs us on. A bunch of drunk, irrational morons throwing elbows in a circle, not too unlike a Wawa in the morning after an Eagles loss. It's fitting that I start the series with this band, as they often give nods to the Philly area in their songs. This goes out to all the survivors from the 76 parking lot in the morning.
If you live around here, you know how amazing Valley Forge is this time of year, lush and green and a pleasure to drive through as long as the line doesn't go through the entire park. On my drive I found myself listening to "After The Party" by the Menzingers as I often do, it has been a regular fixture in my car. I don't know about anyone else that has grown up in the underground scene but it's hard to compare a lot of the artists we listen to with the majority of mainstream listeners jam out to, because usually the music is too raw, abrasive, emotional or maybe just too obscure for most people to hear. But after having all this time to digest this album, I'd put "Lookers" and After the Party up against any Top 20 pop album or mainstream artist from the past 20 years in listenability, catchiness or skill level.
This is a band that has never let me down, they continue to produce quality music and reaching wider audiences without losing their underground credibility, and I think that says a lot about their musical integrity. The way they touch on nostalgia in this song and album while still reminding us that while growing up was fun, the fun isn't over yet and it's up to you to keep the memorable moments coming. The lyrics of the song speak to these sensibilities. Now that I've had a few months to fully digest the album and weight it amongst the all time greats, I'd say it definitely stands its ground and comes in my top 10 or maybe even 5 favorite albums, and that's some strong competition spread across numerous genres of underground metal, hardcore, punk rock and hip-hop.
Lost in a picture frame
The way our bodies used to behave
The way we smiled in the moment
Before they permanently froze
But that was the old me and you
When we were both lookers
Lost in a picture frame
The way my body used to behave
The way I smiled in the moment
Before it permanently froze
But that was the old me
I was such a looker in the old days
You little Kerouac
Always running like Dean and Sal
Always waiting on a freight train
Always looking for a story to tell
But that was the old you
You were such a looker in the old days
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Cause I know the old you
And you know the old me
I was certain that I'd find her
In the back of the diner
In a cloud full of nicotine
In a teenage memory
That I hold till eternity
Cause the future ain't coming for it
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Cause I know the old you
And you know the old me
When we were both lookers
In a 5"x8" black and white
On the night stand of my mind
From a time I hardly recognize
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Cause I know the old you
And you know the old me
When we were both lookers
I don't really need to say a lot more because this band, song and album speak for themselves. Personally, this makes me think about a certain cute someone I have at home that has been by my side before, during and after the party. Let's roll the windows down, turn the volume up and remember when we were all lookers.
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If you live around here, you know how amazing Valley Forge is this time of year, lush and green and a pleasure to drive through as long as the line doesn't go through the entire park. On my drive I found myself listening to "After The Party" by the Menzingers as I often do, it has been a regular fixture in my car. I don't know about anyone else that has grown up in the underground scene but it's hard to compare a lot of the artists we listen to with the majority of mainstream listeners jam out to, because usually the music is too raw, abrasive, emotional or maybe just too obscure for most people to hear. But after having all this time to digest this album, I'd put "Lookers" and After the Party up against any Top 20 pop album or mainstream artist from the past 20 years in listenability, catchiness or skill level.
This is a band that has never let me down, they continue to produce quality music and reaching wider audiences without losing their underground credibility, and I think that says a lot about their musical integrity. The way they touch on nostalgia in this song and album while still reminding us that while growing up was fun, the fun isn't over yet and it's up to you to keep the memorable moments coming. The lyrics of the song speak to these sensibilities. Now that I've had a few months to fully digest the album and weight it amongst the all time greats, I'd say it definitely stands its ground and comes in my top 10 or maybe even 5 favorite albums, and that's some strong competition spread across numerous genres of underground metal, hardcore, punk rock and hip-hop.
Lost in a picture frame
The way our bodies used to behave
The way we smiled in the moment
Before they permanently froze
But that was the old me and you
When we were both lookers
Lost in a picture frame
The way my body used to behave
The way I smiled in the moment
Before it permanently froze
But that was the old me
I was such a looker in the old days
You little Kerouac
Always running like Dean and Sal
Always waiting on a freight train
Always looking for a story to tell
But that was the old you
You were such a looker in the old days
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Cause I know the old you
And you know the old me
I was certain that I'd find her
In the back of the diner
In a cloud full of nicotine
In a teenage memory
That I hold till eternity
Cause the future ain't coming for it
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Cause I know the old you
And you know the old me
When we were both lookers
In a 5"x8" black and white
On the night stand of my mind
From a time I hardly recognize
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Cause I know the old you
And you know the old me
When we were both lookers
I don't really need to say a lot more because this band, song and album speak for themselves. Personally, this makes me think about a certain cute someone I have at home that has been by my side before, during and after the party. Let's roll the windows down, turn the volume up and remember when we were all lookers.
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