Parasites

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8 albums, 20 singles, 16 tours, 1000 European, US and Japanese shows later, American Pop Punk veterans Parasites return with their new album on the Go Kart label, Retro Pop Remasters. Having been on the scene since the late 80s, Parasites are a well known entity in the US, having played with the likes of Green Day, Bad Religion, The Buzz****s and Rancid.

Staying true to their punk pop routes, the production of this album is unashamedly raw and unpolished. The band could be jamming their way through a set in someone’s garage and the listener could be right there in the room with them. The album was recorded in studios in California, New Jersey, New York, Indiana and New Hampshire, although the sound and production maintains its synthetic charm throughout. Unlike much of the grim and bleak feelings evoked from UK punk records, Parasites have a distinctively sunny Californian edge to their musical style. A modern punk pop Beach Boys if you will, minus the darker undertones.

Opening track on the album, When I’m Here With You is an uplifting bouncy pop song with a catchy fast paced guitar hook, simplistic sing-a-long lyrics and a traditional verse chorus formula. Fans of Ash’s Girl from Mars will love this. This number immediately gives the listener inkling of what to expect from Parasites, and true to its title, this album does exactly what it says on the tin. This is pure unashamed bubblegum pop punk at its best. Parasites energetically bounce their way through the album paying tribute to the pop punk legends of old such as Buzz****s, Blondie and The Ramones. Another highlight is Bonnie is a Psycho, possibly a satire to Jilted John's Gordon is a Moron.

The Parasites have plainly shown their refusal to change their sound to conform to mainstream trends and Retro Pop Remasters blatantly demonstrates this. This band is as unadorned as bangers and mash. Simple but enjoyable.

Retro Pop Remasters is simply good old fashioned pop music, purely celebrating it for what it is rather than trying to embellish hidden depths or pose as political spokesmen for their generation. If you dislike upbeat pop and simplistic lyrics, this is not the album for you. But if you like Ash’s 1977 album, then this is definitely recommended. Retro Pop Remasters is accessible and most likely to appeal to Ash, Bowling for Soup, Blink 182, teen movie soundtrack and Ramones fans.

This is well worth a listen if you enjoy infectiously happy and upbeat pop music. Moody, angst ridden emo music fans steer clear!