Episode 29: Mr. Hardy Sells Out

   You've probably heard it before. In tons of conversations about bands, people will bring up something like "their older stuff was better", or "I don't like they're new sound". People like change in many different things, but for some reason, in music, it's hard to deal with. People want the bands they like to have the same sound they enjoy throughout their entire career and get mad if they change. But that's not how it works. I can understand wishing a band kept making the same kind of music they did when you discovered them, but being upset over a change isn't fair.

Scene 1: Fall Out Boy.

   Fall Out Boy released a few beloved pop-punk/"emo" albums in the early to late-2000's. They then broke up. They got back together several years later and have been active ever since, however, their music is different now. They have taken on a more pop-rock/mainstream sound. I've heard a lot of people, even in person, complain about Fall Out Boy becoming more poppy. 

    This would probably get me hate in certain parts of the internet, but I'm gonna say it: Fall Out Boy is better post-hiatus. Not that they were bad pre-hiatus. Their best music comes after the hiatus. They changed their sound because they wanted to, and they're better for it. If you don't like it, that's too bad. There are still many bands out there who have the same sound that early Fall Out Boy did. Or just keep listening to early Fall Out Boy.

Scene 2: Panic! At the Disco.

    Their lineup of members has changed a lot over the years. Panic used to be a band, but as of the last two albums and going into this next one, Panic! At the Disco is not a band, but the stage name of Brendon Urie, the constant frontman. Their fifth album, the one where the "band" is just Urie for the first time, marks a change for Panic. He is now making music his own way, free from the influence of other band members. For many, this was a good thing. For some, it's not.

    I'm in the camp that says Panic is better as just Brendon Urie than it was as a band. All Panic music is great, regardless of era, but Urie-Panic is unique in its own special way. 

Scene 3: Green Day.

   The last band I'm going to talk about. If you listen to Green Day's early albums, around about 1987-1996, you'll hear what's very much a punk rock band. They were very steamy, very angry at their parents. From about 1996-2009, they became more of an alternative rock band with punk flavor. They got political, especially in albums Warning and, my favorite album of all-time, American Idiot. From about 2009-Present they are basically a pop-rock/pop-punk band. Their punk roots are still there, but barely. Green Day is a band where you can physically see different eras they went through and decide how you feel about each.

     My opinion on Green Day is tricky. They're one of my favorite bands, but I don't really try to judge the different eras. Each one has their highs and lows, but they're still Green Day and that means it's better than other stuff. However, I will say their newest album was their worst. It was very disappointing. The one right before that one is great, though. 

     A lot of people act like Green Day abandoning punk is some kind of egregious, unforgivable sin. But I like to think: not in Green Day, no opinion. They're the band, they can play whatever kind of music they want. If you want modern punk rock, listen to The Offspring or The Regrettes or Screeching Weasel or something.

See you next week!