Times have changed at Epitaph Records. In the last few years, the label has seen the departure of several large-draw bands (including Pennywise, Rancid and Dropkick Murphys among others) and in their place have arrived less than punk-inclined names like Lyrics Born, Sage Francis, Man Man and The Coup. Epitaph is expanding and growing out of its punk rock roots—that much is apparent—but there are some acts still hanging around that were once considered solid second-stringers that may now get their due. Millencolin is one such band; long regarded as the teeniest skate punk band on the block, they spent a lot time being overlooked in the shadow of their label mates. With those bands gone now, the spotlight drops to Millencolin and, blessedly, they’ve stepped up to be worthy of the notice with their new album. Machine 15 (the band’s seventh long-player) is undoubtedly Millencolin’s finest effort to date as, seemingly for the first time, singer/bassist Nikola Sarcevic takes a deep breath and belts his vocals, the band’s rhythm section learns to drive and guitarists Erik Ohllson and Mathias Farm get some dirt under their fingernails and turn their instruments off the leash.
Not unlike how Blink 182 used to do, Millencolin turns up the volume and dry-eyed but soft-hearted attitude on songs including “Come On,” “Done Is Done,” “Danger For Stranger” and “Turnkey Paradise” that all illustrate Millencolin does have some formidable song writing muscles to flex and “Detox” and “Who’s Laughing Now” qualify as contenders for their best songs ever.
Granted, none of this is new territory, but never before has Millencolin delivered as album so consistent or attention-grabbing as Machine 15; the unabashed pop melodies and pogo-ready choruses that appear around every corner on this album prove that Millencolin has been too long-underrated and ignored. The thing is, the band knows it too; all of the other punk bands of their ilk have ditched? Punk fans had counted Millencolin out and all a fairly smug Sarcevic has to ask on track eight of Machine 15 is, “Look who’s laughing now.”
For more information, check out: www.millencolin.com and www.myspace.com/millencolin
