For Science "Tomorrow's Just Another Day"

Like traditional hardcore, classic pop-punk is a genre that, to me, is almost inherently endearing and sincere. You're simply not going to make a fat stack of cash or find worldwide fame by playing it (unless you're the next Green Day, and I don't think you or anyone else ever will be); you're more likely to do it out of the love of the music and the simplicity.

For Science's sound stems from traditional, upbeat pop-punk -– the kind of stuff that Screeching Weasel largely molded -– although there are touches of frenzied, raw punk rock and restrained, piano-laden rock. Driving, moderately paced rhythms anchor the warm, melodic chord progressions and simple guitar leads, and singer John Slover brings a distinct, raspy and lovably imperfect voice to the mix. Never terribly complex, Tomorrow's Just Another Day makes the best of good, concise songwriting, a few unexpected twists and unique lead vocals. The record sounds familiar, but it's certainly not lost in a sea of similar-minded efforts. Hell, there hardly are any these days.

While about half of the 12 songs are straightforward pop-punk jams, there's quite a lot of variety; "Headaches" is the first song to really slow the tempo, allowing the band to use minimalist verses to build up to choruses that'll have the lyric, "You and headaches keep me up at night," lodged in your head for a good day or two. The following song, "Heavy Blues," is a jangly, lightly distressed pop song, while "Wisdom Teeth" is an nervous, high-speed punk rock song that, at its fastest, sounds like it's on the brink crumbling to pieces. "A Rage against Heaven," the longest song at more than four minutes, incorporates equal parts male and female vocals, delicate piano passages and organs as the band moves between tense, energetic choruses and soft, restrained passages. And while I'm picking apart tracks, I've got to point out how the band closes the first song, "Even," and the last song, "Hearts Bound to Die," with "gang vocals" from a group of kids -- it'll bring a smile to your face.

I found myself liking Tomorrow's Just Another Day from my very first listen, but it's continued to grow on me with each successive play. Traditional pop-punk with well executed variety – there's really not much for fans of the genre to dislike.

For Science - Much Too Much
For Science - Headaches

I haven't had any luck finding For Science records in the local record store, so I don't know how widely distributed it is. But you can get this effort here.