Traditionalist Hardcore with modern edge
Modern Punk Rock has seen a significant shift in sound from the genre’s early days through artists such as Black Flag, The Clash, and Minor Threat, and since sprawled in an increasing number of subgenres. Today, Punk finds itself at the precipice of mainstream success as bands in Knocked Loose, Militarie Gun and Turnstile play household name festivals and late-night TV. Despite these acts mentioned above bringing punk to a broader audience, the abrasive DIY feel of early punk has been traded for polished recordings and the introduction of outside influences and flowing melodies. Although these changes aren’t necessarily bad, few artists maintain the same grittiness present on albums such as Nirvana’s Bleach. On their latest release issued March 28, 2025, Brooklyn punk group, The Men capture a traditionalist hardcore sound with modern edge in Buyer Beware.
Consisting of Mark Perro(vocals, guitar), Nick Chiericozzi(vocals, guitar, saxophone), Rich Samis(drums), and Kevin Faulkner(bass), The Men formed in Brooklyn as a D.I.Y. group in 2008 and have subsequently released five albums before Buyer Beware. While the group has experimented with various influences of Noise, Country, Surf and Shoegaze throughout their career, Buyer Beware follows 2016’s New York City in a shift back to a vintage punk sound and approach.
Opener “Pony” sets Buyer Beware with a sound reminiscent of 80’s hardcore with a tone fueled by aggressive, fuzzed out guitars, battering ram vocals, and thunderous percussion- a sound continued following tracks “At The Movies”, “Fire Sermon” and “Black Heart Blue”. At 13 tracks with a run time of 34 minutes, The Men’s latest LP retains the punk ethos of brevity. Despite maintaining a primarily hardcore approach to the album, Buyer Beware maintains consistency while leaving room to incorporate outside influences as Post-Hardcore melody is explored in “Charm”, “Buyer Beware” leans to Ska as Cheriercozzi’s saxophone takes the role as main melodic instrument and “The Path” and “Get My Soul” close out the LP with the sludgy angst of a Melvins album. Although the songwriting across Buyer Beware creates an almost vintage quality, the production work crafts a modern sound that feels huge and clear, while still leaving each instrument rough enough around its edges to maintain a D.I.Y. quality.
In Buyer Beware, The Men take a nuanced approach to hardcore—revisiting a vintage sound and incorporating subtle nods to outside influences while maintaining a sound that feels entirely their own.
