New Jersey’s Banquets caused some waves when they released “Top Button, Bottom Shelf” in 2011. I still don’t have a clue what that album title was about but that’s okay… they kept things simple enough for me with the self-titled follow-up.

It comes with twelve more catchy, energetic anthems that are easy on the ears and display a lot of heart. These guys know exactly how to counterbalance their poppy exuberance with just the right amount of crunch that will get you pumping your fists and singing along in no time. No small feat yet they pull it off.

Things haven’t changed dramatically on “Banquets”, it’s all simply bigger… bigger hooks, bigger singalong, bigger melodies. And yes, this time around bigger is indeed better.