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TOTAL BUMMER


Total Bummer’s self-titled EP released on June 23, 2016 is the first effort from this Atlanta, Georgia punk/pop-punk band. Clocking in at just under 8 minutes, these three introductory tracks speed through and have fun while doing it.

The EP opens with “Prozac and Caffeine,” which immediately pushes you into a sweaty, circle pit. The song feels like a college anthem for someone who really wants to drop out. The lyrics are charmingly self-deprecating-- not whiny. The writer seems aware of his position and doesn’t mind sharing it with everyone. The opening lyric to the second verse, “I didn’t go to class today so I could cry and masturbate” highlight both the humor and openness of the lyrics.

The second song “Chest Pains” finds the singer discussing relationships and how they never seem to work out. The instrumental of “Chest Pains” feels very Dude Ranch-era Blink-182, which, in my opinion, is perfect, especially for a song about relationships gone wrong. This track seems to find less humor than the other two; it is by far, the most serious song on the album, which honestly, makes it slightly less enjoyable for me. But, it is a solid song that helps to showcase Total Bummer’s talent and potential.

The third, and final, song “I Swear to Drunk I’m Not God” deals with partying, drinking, and realizing that parties kind of suck. The lyrics in this song are wonderfully self-aware: “I’m a bummer when I’m sober so I’m drunk all the time.” “I Swear to Drunk . . .” reminds me of the Dopamines, specifically their song “Waking Up In The Monroe House With Cat Hair In My Mouth” the regret of it all, but the realization that it’s going to happen again anyway.

Total Bummer’s self-titled EP is a quick, easy listen that is fun to have in the background and just as fun to pay attention too. The fast pace and humor of this EP provides for an entertaining listen. It’s not a reinvention of the wheel as far as pop-punk goes, but it’s not a boring cliché either; every song isn’t about a girl that broke up with a member of the band and the lyrics aren’t overly melodramatic. It seems like an honest account of feelings and events from one person’s perspective. This EP does an incredible job of showcasing Total Bummer’s potential musically. The members have obvious influences that I, personally, really appreciate. I’m very excited to see what happens next for this band.

By the way, shout out to whoever designed the cover, great use the font “Haze.”

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