Finer Things

Albany, New York-based pop-punk act State Champs followed several EP and 7" vinyl-only releases with their 2013 full-length debut The Finer Things. The 11-song album of pristine, emo-tinged, high-energy rock was produced by New Found Glory member Steve Klein with help from engineer Sam Pura, who had worked with similarly minded pop-punk bands like the Story So Far and the American Scene. Singer Derek Discanio's nasal vocals guide the songs with spirited harmonies that glide over walls of fast-paced guitar lines and water-tight drumming, following in the tradition of gloss-heavy, radio-ready punk bands like Fall Out Boy or early Saves the Day. ~ Fred Thomas