I searched my text messages to see when I first listened to The Carolyn. It wasn’t that long ago; August of last year, to be exact. A lifelong buddy sent me two songs off their 2019 debut This Will Begin to Make Things Right, and we discussed what stood out to us. I heard a little bit of Rise Against, a little bit of Against Me!, and a little bit of The Menzingers. He appreciated that they were able to keep him interested in a genre that often fails to differentiate enough for his taste. Our general consensus: they make really great melodic punk.
Fast forward to now, and the Atlanta-based trio is gearing up to release their third full-length, Pyramid Scheme of Grief. Continuing the theme highlighted in my buddy and I’s text thread, this LP gives you a melting pot of catchy punk that keeps you hooked without overstaying its welcome.
The 1:06 lead-off song, “75mg Prologue,” sets the tone with a slower build-up that explodes with quiet angst. You pretty much understand what you’ll get on this album right from the start: short, melodic, punchy punk for the outcasts. Not a single song on this album runs longer than 2:30, giving listeners little silhouettes of raspy vocals, loud guitars, and impatient drums.
The third track, “And the Infinite Void,” is one that really shows off the full capabilities of the trio (Andrew Patrick on guitar/vocals, Oliver Conlon on bass/vocals, and Dave Mulazzi on drums). There are quiet reflections, loud outbursts, and everything in between. If you’re not sold by this song, you’re either not sad enough, not angry enough, or not overthinking enough; simply put, maybe this record ain’t for you.
I think my favorite on Pyramid Scheme of Grief is probably “Faded in Roku City,” and no, it’s not only because it’s a fantastic song name. This track, falling deeper on the track list, feels more anthemic compared to some of the more grinding punk songs on the record. I instantly wanted to hear this one live. I hope they’re playing it during their upcoming East Coast run.
Pyramid Scheme of Grief doesn’t reinvent anything, but it doesn’t need to. It’s just over 18 minutes of really well-executed, powerful yet catchy punk songs that invite revisits. Fans of The Menzingers, Spanish Love Songs, and The Lawrence Arms will welcome this record with open arms.
The full LP drops on October 3rd. Listen to the Routines EP containing its 5 singles below:
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