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Immediately when I turned on the very first track from The Perms' new album Sofia Nights called "High School High", I knew I was going to listen to a rad record! The first track is reminiscent of (and bear with me here because this is going to sound strange) early millenium pop-punk, mixed with early 60's bubble-gum pop. It's a great, catchy song with an awesome beat that makes you bob your head and remember fondly that Bowling-For-Soup phase you had (or are still in)! Track two, Make It Through keeps up with the same kind of sound, but slows it down a touch and roughs up the vocals a little bit. It's a strange mix of sounds coming from this band, but I honestly love it!

Track five, Skin and Bones is my favorite, with an awesome sing-along melody and lyrics, and a rhythm that will make you sway and think of your middle school dances. Track six, Slipping Away, is a close second for favorite! It's a track that just compells you to sing along! I dare you not to rock out listening to it at top volume!

My least favorite track on the album was track seven, Live For Today, not that it's a bad track at all, I just didn't enjoy it as much as the other songs. The album picks the ball up on track eight, however, with Mannheim, a song that I want to cruise down the highway with the windows down blasting at full volume!

I really have no solid reference guide for you as far as what to compare it to, because it's such a brand new, yet somehow totally familiar sound! The best I could say is to think of a Bowling For Soup's serious side meets the poppy sounds from the late fifties or early sixties, but roughed up a little and presented with a bit of grit and grime on it. That's truly the best I can do ya. I love this band, and I love this album, it's a great and innovative mix of sounds. Give the album a shot, and check out more about The Perms on their website: www.theperms.com!

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