About the record: SoCo is such an iconic staple to the genre that I almost slotted it in the #1 spot. Andrew McMahon’s easily recognizable vocals have a powerful, drawn-out feel that are pristine yet edgy in a melodramatic way: clear and concise. He was only 19 when this album released, and the longing and heartbreak in his lyrics resonated deeply with fans, especially fellow teens.
The pop-punk sound is thrashy and eloquent, a pressure that builds and releases. Listeners experience crashing drums and loud, gruff guitars on “Punk Rock Princess” in contrast to the catchy, bouncy melodies on “I Woke Up in a Car,” where McMahon’s yearning vocals make it a whimsical, singable anthem. His sensual, sweeping piano playing is, by far, what sets him and the band apart.
McMahon would go on to do other projects (Jack’s Mannequin, Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness), but Something Corporate would release just one more album after this one, entitled North. Their songs captured the angsty teenage experience in a way that was relatable, as if to say, “Hey, we’re not the cool kids here. Come sit with us anyway.”
Where they are now: The band is no longer together, but they did release a greatest hits album in 2010: Played in Space: The Best of Something Corporate. Up until 2018, McMahon released under the name Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness. He also published a book last year titled Three Pianos: A Memoir.
