12 Best Pop-Punk Albums of All Time
Green Day have one of the best pop-punk albums of all time, according to Audio Ink Radio – Story by Anne Erickson, photo by Frank Maddocks
Here’s Audio Ink Radio’s list of the 12 best pop-punk albums of all time
Of all of rock’s subgenres of music, pop-punk is the most youth-driven. Take a band like Fall Out Boy. They’re not called Fall Out Man. Even though the guys, indeed, are grown men today, their music will always appeal to the youth. That said, it’s not surprising that pop-punk can be some of the most fun and idealistic rock music out there. So, what are the best pop-punk albums of all time?
What’s interesting is that one of the biggest bands of the genre, Green Day, is apparently not happy with the pop-punk label. In 2016, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong tweeted out that he wanted to “destroy the phrase ‘pop-punk’ forever” and never liked the label. But, one can’t deny that if there is a pop-punk genre, Green Day are one of the pioneers of that movement.
While pop-punk has gone through many changes in its 40-or-so years as a genre, its core of influential records doesn’t change. For those who want to embrace all things youthful and never grow up, here are the 12 best pop-punk albums of all time. Send us your choices for the best pop-punk albums via social media.
12. Good Charlotte, “The Young and the Hopeless” (2002)
Good Charlotte aren’t always categorized as a pure pop-punk band, maybe a bit more pop-rock, but they did infuse some real punk vibes into their music and helped influence the genre. When Good Charlotte released “The Young and the Hopeless” in 2002, they turned many ears, especially when the single “Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous” garnered lots of airplay and MTV video views. They had attitude and spunk, and those are very punk attributes.
11. Yellowcard, “Ocean Avenue” (2003)
Yellowcard got a lot of attention with their 2003 major-label debut, “Ocean Avenue,” which came after three previous releases. Many people wondered, “Does this pop-punk band really have a violin?” The answer is that yes, they did, and Yellowcard made the violin very cool by infusing the insurments into some of their most popular songs. The album’s title track became one of the band’s biggest hits. With “Ocean Avenue,” Yellowcard showed that punk music could be super creative and unique.
10. Descendents, “Milo Goes to College” (1982)
Descendents are arguably the first pop-punk band ever. The band pretty much created the genre with their 1982 album, “Milo Goes to College,” which is one for the music history books. Coming from Southern California’s hardcore scene, Descendents brought catchy pop music and adolescent themes to their songs that birthed an entire movement.
9. The Offspring, “Smash” (1994)
The Offspring were the grunge guys of the pop-punk movement. When they mixed messy, guitar-driven grunge with catchy pop-punk on 1994’s “Smash,” they struck gold. Singles such as “Come Out and Play” and “Self-Esteem” quickly shot to the top of the charts. Their punk simply appealed to a huge audience, and to this day, they have millions of fans around the world.
8. MxPx, “Life in General” (1996)
MxPx were the faith-based version of bands such as Green Day and Blink-182. But, they were so talented that even those without the same religious views found lots to appreciate about this band. The group’s 1996 release, “Life in General,” was a seminal album for MxPx. It was a much stronger record than the album that came before it, “Teenage Politics.” It also made the Washington band one of the major contenders in the pop-punk scene.
7. New Found Glory, “New Found Glory” (2000)
New Found Glory are another bread-and-butter pop-punk name that has stayed relevant over the years. While they came on the scene with 1999’s “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” New Found Glory really took off with their 2000 self-titled release. “Better Off Dead” became an anthem for a disgruntled generation, and the album’s other songs also struck a chord with youth. It’s a solid record from start to finish.
6. Jimmy Eat World, “Bleed American” (2001)
Jimmy Eat World are one of the statesmen of the pop-punk genre. They released their self-titled debut album in 1994. That’s years before bands such as Fall Out Boy or Sum 41 came on the scene. Along with Green Day, they helped the world fall in love with a punk-influenced sound. What made Jimmy Eat World stand apart was how they brought emo into their music. “Bleed American” is really the perfect emo/pop-punk album, and for that, it deserves a spot on this list.
5. Paramore, “Riot!” (2007)
Paramore could be called the second wave of pop-punk, as they released their debut full-length, “All We Know Is Falling,” in 2005, years after the genre had taken off. They signed to Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy’s Fueled by Ramen and released their debut, “Riot!,” in 2007, which debuted in the top 20 of the U.S. Billboard 200 and eventually went platinum. The album’s single “Misery Business” is so catchy that it’ll stick in your head for weeks. “Riot!” also made singer Hayley Williams an instant superstar, and she’s still one of the most famous rock vocalists today.
4. Sum 41, “All Killer No Filler” (2001)
Who says pop-punk was just in the States? Sum 41 proved that Canada could also rock the genre with their youthful blend of three-chord guitar songs and vocalist Deryck Whibley’s high-energy singing. The band’s debut album, “All Killer No Filler,” offered a cool mix of pop-punk and skate punk that made this record an instant, too-cool-for-school hit.
3. Blink-182, “Enema of the State” (1999)
It doesn’t get more pop-punk than Blink-182. “Enema of the State” remains one of the blueprints of the genre, as the 1999 release features the chart-topping pop-punk singles “All The Small Things” and “What’s My Age Again?” along with the heartfelt “Adam’s Song.” But, there’s no filler on here. Every track could have been a single in the late-1990s, early-2000s alternative rock climate. Even to this day, “Enema of the State” is a fun listen, and pop-punk is really all about having fun.
2. Fall Out Boy, “From Under the Cork Tree” (2005)
Just how “pop” could pop-punk go? The world found out when Fall Out Boy came on the scene. The band instantly crossed over from alternative rock to pop radio with their 2005 album “From Under the Cork Tree” and its No. 1 single, “Sugar, We’re Goin Down.” Suddenly, Fall Out Boy went from relative unknowns sandwiched between bigger bands on the Warped Tour bill to headliners. Follow up single “Dance Dance” was also a massive hit. It’s not often that one album propels a band into the spotlight for good. But, that’s what happened with Fall Out Boy and “From Under the Cork Tree.”
1. Green Day, “Dookie” (1994)
Green Day are the Metallica of punk music. When they meshed the more mainstream sound of pop with their true California punk roots, there was no stopping this band. Whether you think Green Day are punk in the purest meaning of the genre is irrelevant. They brought that punk sound to the masses, and they took a giant leap forward with 1994’s “Dookie.” Bringing together the punk of the Ramones and Misfits with glossy, poppy production and songwriting, songs such as “Welcome to Paradise” and “Basket Case” became instant classics. “Dookie” remains one of the most influential albums in not only pop-punk but rock, in general. It laid the groundwork for a massive career that’s still strong today. For its influence and how it took punk to the mainstream, Green Day with “Dookie” is No. 1 on our list of the best pop-punk albums of all time.
Find Audio Ink Radio’s list of the 10 greatest punk vocalists of all time here.
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