Review / Multiple Authors
Midpoint
Shutup, That's Why

2nd Best (2003) — Shane, Sean, Zed

Midpoint – Shutup, That's Why cover artwork
Midpoint – Shutup, That's Why — 2nd Best, 2003

Incredibly boring pop punk. While I do not like pop punk all that much, I know when it is done the right way and these guys have managed to fail their final exam. To study up, I suggest they listen to Osker - Idle Will Kill on repeat for the next 6 months, hit the studio, and try again. I have to give them credit though. They must know they suck by the name of their website.

I was bored the whole time. Most of the muscles in my face have ceased all ability to move. This is one of the most generic, boring, derivative albums I have ever heard. Regular ol' pop-punk, except with a pretty bad vocalist. The band would take the step up on the ladder to being terrible if they got rid of the singer, who has a slight NOFX/Millencolin annoying sound to his voice. The lyrics seem to be subpar, even for a 12 year old. I hate to be mean, but this band should go back to junior college and get a degree in ANYTHING.

Obviously the trend of pop punk has not stopped yet, which is evident by recent releases like this. It's formulaic, with squeaky clean guitar riffs and "uplifting" vocals that are whiney as all hell. There is even a breakdown thrown in here and there, which seems to be the new element in this music. In "Non Stop Lying You" at 1:45 there is one of the most ridiculous back up "shouts" I've ever heard. The few lyrics I could pick up here and there sounded like fifth grade poetry. With an album name like Shutup That's Why you can be sure there is a lot of teen angst filled in the jewel case. The band name isn't even original, there is another pop punk band named Midtown. If you like Blink 182, New Found Glory, etc. you might like this release. Otherwise, NO.

2.0 / 10Zed

Midpoint – Shutup, That's Why cover artwork
Midpoint – Shutup, That's Why — 2nd Best, 2003

Average score across three writers

3.0 / 10 — Shane, Sean, Zed • February 25, 2004

Recently-posted album reviews

The Phase Problem

The Power Of Positive Thinking
Brassneck Records (2024)

I spent a good part of the late ‘90s annoyed at the abundance of Ramonescore. I’ll stand by my word: many of the bands of that era were carbon copies that didn’t bring anything new to the format. But time has passed and what was overdone is now a refreshing change of pace. For whatever reason, when I hear a … Read more

Totally Slow

The Darkness Intercepts
Refresh Records (2024)

I find Totally Slow a hard band to categorize. Their brand of melodic, hard punk is familiar and comforting -- rooted in ‘80s hardcore, ‘90s skatepunk, and post-something guitar-driven rock. The press release namedrops Dag Nasty and Hot Snakes, among others, which I think are good starting points. But while it’s familiar, it’s absolutely not a carbon copy. Like their forebearers, the songs … Read more

Steamachine

City of Death
Records Workshop (2023)

City Of Death is the third album from Polish noise makers Steamachine. Having dabbled in a few metal styles over their career, City Of Death has a heavy carnival influence to it which I have to say I really like. It's interesting just how much more sinister things sound when you pump eerie, jingly circus sounds amongst very dark, heavy, … Read more