Dryvetyme Onlyne

Lipona
Atlas
Self-Released; 2008

Being a music critic/snob (much less an overweight hipster), I’m often pegged as someone who doesn’t appreciate harder-edged music. (Just because I like Sufjan Stevens doesn’t prohibit me from listening to Norma Jean.) But what most people don’t realize is that I spent the better part of my early 20’s attending all manner of local punk and hardcore shows in the suburbs of Houston, TX, where band after band of full of high school and young college kids would get on stage to perform their version of the latest trendy “-core” act’s music. It was, admittedly, a rather brutal endeavor at times, but it was always worth it to discover that one group who was worth a damn: they had actually practiced, their lyrics had actual content, and they quickly developed a ridiculously rabid following.

Lipona, on their debut full-length, Atlas, reminds me of all those great local bands from my past in one fell swoop: they’re youthful, overflowing with energy, and write melodic punk songs that are as catchy as hell. The drumming is passionate and furious, the tempos are appropriately rollicking with a thick head of steam, the gang vocals require you to sing along, and the guitar work is full of both traditional chunky punk power chords and searing riffage. But what sets this band apart are the voice and lyrics of vocalist Yamil Velez: with a style reminiscent of Geoff Rickly of Thursday (without the high-pitched, screaming histrionics) and the ability to create brilliant images of his internal struggles (without coming across like a whiny, disaffected suburban kid), Velez carries a group that, for all of its abilities, could still find itself lumped in along with other above-average independent punk bands that crisscross this nation every day. The track “To Wishful Thinking!” holds my favorite chorus on the album – “This could be the way you think confirms your long standing bias. And just when you reach the very top, will it ever be enough for you?” – serving as an ode to everyone I’ve ever known who’s cast aside everyone important to them just to reach some mythical zenith of accomplishment. The ten songs of this record cover barely 32 minutes of time, but fans of intelligent punk music will find that Atlas is worth every single one of those ticks of a clock. I just hope that Lipona can continue their resolute and determined uphill climb.