About once a week, I will put out a short write-up on a song of the week. This could be an old song that I have found myself going back to, a brand new single, or a song for which I am way late to the party. Let’s get to it!

I’m a subscriber to https://www.reddit.com/r/poppunkers/ It’s a good way for me to stay in tune with some of the new acts emerging in the genre and to stay up to date on any news within pop punk. However, the subreddit also serves as a great forum for nostalgia. Just about every day, a classic pop punk song will be posted so that the community can reminisce on the band, their old albums, and the stage of life someone was when he or she first heard the track.

Today, the music video for “Coffee Talk” by Broadside was posted on r/PopPunkers. I was instantly taken back to my senior year of college, jamming out to Broadside and Neck Deep while I worked on lab reports or studied for upcoming physical chemistry exams.

Broadside’s music video for “Coffee Talk”

Now, this may not be study music for the average person. But as someone who grew up listening to “American Idiot” by Green Day front to back every day after school while completing math homework, these angsty anthems serve as a great background during my times of productivity.

One of my favorite tracks by Broadside and one that resonates with me the most is “Storyteller”.

Audio of the song “Storyteller” by Broadside

This song embodies pop punk. Centering on a difficult topic (a crumbling relationship), power chords, the trademark nasaly pop punk vocals, all done in about 3 minutes. And let me tell you: I love every edgy second.

The song begins with Oliver Baxxter’s vocals isolated with some subtle chords. As he completes the lyrics of the first verse that set the stage for a rocky relationship, the drums enter accompanied by powerful electric guitar. I find this intro very unique for a pop punk song, and it does an excellent job in emphasizing the theme of the song: doubt centering on the status of a relationship.

The rest of the track, for the most part, features an outpouring of honest lyrics that make the listener sympathize. The band gets creative with the guitar in particular, with the guitar riff before the second chorus serving as a great example (1:30). The track features more isolated vocals from Baxxter and even a melody by other bandmates. However, the track has plenty of energetic segments that feature Baxxter’s resentful lyrics set on top of booming drum licks and guitar riffs.

The lyrics of “Storyteller” always carried more depth to me than most pop punk songs. The track makes it clear that there is still hope that the relationship can last. While many issues are noticed, “when we lay our heads, I’m still kissing you goodnight”. I think we are guilty of this in all of our relationships, whether they are romantic or friendly. We often try to bury our issues instead of taking them head on. This can lead to animosity that both are aware of and will inevitably put a wedge between the two parties.

The chorus is lyrically one of my favorite pop punk choruses to date.

And I’m not a liar

Maybe a storyteller

But when I promised you the world

I was just trying to make it better

I may be alone in this, but I just find these lyrics to be so real. Lying and deceiving is always viewed in a negative light. This strikes me as a rare example of trying to paint the picture of how not being entirely truthful can be done with good intentions. Rather than being labeled a liar, the speaker calls himself a storyteller, a person who often brings joy to other people through interesting tales full of hope. I think we all like to paint a picture better than what really exists. We all want to convince ourselves and the people around us that the world we live in is better than it is. And I think there is nothing wrong with that.

I love the people who are in my life. The friends and family who are closest to me deserve the world. There is nothing more rewarding to me than bringing joy to my brother, my best friends, my parents, or anyone who holds a special place in my heart. I truly want to give all of those people the best world I possibly can. People will often say “You deserve the world”, and I just like to take it a step further to try to make our world the best it can be. And I think everyone can do that, even if it means lying (or storytelling) a little bit.

Be sure to check out Broadside if you get a chance. I saw them once in concert, and they are amazing. I would love to get out there to see them again. Some of my favorite tracks by them are “Come and Go”, “Playing in Traffic”, and “Damaged Kids”.