Gone are the days of raucous punk that not only is fun but also embodies what the spirit of this lifestyle is all about.  We are tortured by the echoes of polished mall pop in the vein of Good Charlotte and Simple Plan but it is a futile argument and one that will never have a solution.  Well, no one told Monty Love that. Monty Love? I found myself asking the same question but after I popped in his debut full-length “Girls Are The New Boys” for Immigrant Sun Records I couldn’t help but feel the energy and passion being portrayed through my speakers.

There really isn’t much that can be said for “Girls Are The New Boys” other than its fast, melodic, loud, and fun.  “Friendly’s At Outback” the album’s opener blazes at just: 54 seconds and this is what you can expect for the rest of the record. “Holla Back” is Love’s take on growing up with the line, “being young is only in your head.”  Each song is armed with just a few chords, spastic drumming, a driving bass line, and the distinct vocals of Monty Love.  There are traces of hardcore in tracks like “Asexuality”, “Lights For Learnin”, and “Me Love Me Longtime.” 

There is more of a gritty pop-punk approach on tracks like “Good Times”, “Sweet Emulsion”, and “No No Spot” which also features a cello and violin.  Monty Love also does a couple of covers including Bikini Kill’s “Rebel Grrl” and even Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”  There are also some guest vocals done by label mate Kevin Devine on “3? I Can Fit 4.” 

With twenty-five tracks this album still only clocks in at just over 30 minutes. If you are tired of well polished pop punk then I suggest you pick up “Girls Are The New Boys.” The drawbacks to this record are obvious.  It can get tiresome hearing twenty-five songs with very similar song structures and melody lines but this isn’t supposed to be genre defining. Monty Love’s brand of punk rock is simple, fun, and infectious.