“They’re young, they’re disenfranchised and they’re feeling trapped by their age and their jobs” reads the band biography of Junior Battles, another impressive Canadian export and the latest gang of mavericks to jump out of Paper + Plastick records and take listeners by surprise.  On the surface, they’re a standard pop-punk quartet, complaining of the conformity of suburbia and the malaise of conventionality.  Look closer and you’ll see a band that is passionate, intelligent and producing genuinely honest songs with a varied sound and a mixture of old school and new. 

“Seventeen” is your typical pop punk anthem – optimistic, if somewhat ironic lyrics fall upon luscious melodies and perfectly placed backing vocals.  However, don’t get too comfortable: “Twenty-Five” kicks the idealism of “Seventeen” where it hurts, with lyrics “You’re always high, and I’m always drunk // We think we’re justified by saying we’re still young” carrying a far more serious tone.  The two songs aptly captivate the age-induced viewpoints; naivety on one hand and cynicism on another.  Meanwhile, all this occurs under a pre-Infinity On High Fall Out Boy foundation of melody.

 Dual vocals aren’t always easy to pull off, but when they’re performed right, as in “Nostalgic At 23,” they can be extraordinary.  The rapid vocal stampede of Sam Sutherland and Aaron Zorgel is comparable to a kind of unpolished dream collaboration between Benjamin Kowalewicz (Billy Talent) and Mark Hoppus (blink-182).  The former satisfies those that desire something nasally and the latter caters to those that like their vocals plain (and awesome).

With the vocal check-box ticked, it is in the area of instrumentals that the Ontarians continue to set themselves apart.  ”Birthdayparties vs. Punkroutine,” “Ever get the feeling you’re being cheated?” and “Send The Pilots Away” represent the heavier and darker aspects of Junior Battles, with ominous bass lines and chilling guitar riffs that compare to Sum 41’s Chuck.  Meanwhile “With Honours” and “Living in the Future of Feelings/ No Plans” shift back toward cheery chants and a classic pop air.  The production is far from perfect, yet the tinny echoes on “Passing Out” seem to add to the appeal, and the album closer, “Radio,” is a fitting end, with a despondent verse bursting into a life-filled crescendo.

There’s certainly room for improvement from Junior Battles: Sharper lyrics would benefit the record at times and better focused melodies at others.  But overall, Idle Ages is an angst-driven, gang-vocal told tale of discontent, confusion and aspirations for greater things.  If Junior Battles can continue to channel their frustrations into creating such powerful music, then the best is yet to come.

★★★.5/★★★★★

*This review was composed by Ramsey Marwan