Canadian baseball punks Isotopes return with their second album, aptly named ‘1994 World Series Champions’ and for want of a better term, they’ve knocked it out of the park. First of all ‘Baseball punk’ is a genre most of us had never heard of, and that’s because it never existed until Isotopes created it, with a mission statement of: “if you can’t be the best punk band in the world, be the best themed punk band in the world,”
This record proves that Isotopes aren’t just a themed band, but so much more. A lot of their lyrics might revolve around baseball, but great song writing comes from the heart and baseball is a huge part of their lives. The album itself is 19 minutes of pure enthusiasm filled, anthemic, feel good pop punk that’ll have you singing along in no time.
While it may only be short, it’s most certainly sweet; throughout, the ten tracks are filled with sublime riffs and vocals from Evan October that can’t fail to get you jumping around your room. ‘Indian Summer’ and ‘Gold Scorpion Gun’ show all that Isotopes do exceedingly well and by the time you get to the end of the album you’ll be left wanting more.
Excuse the baseball puns but this record is without doubt a home run for Isotopes. Let’s hope that they can keep up the good form moving into next season.
CHRISTOPHER LEE