Album review: Supremely punk rock disc Eye Times by Wax Museums

The band finally has new material after a three-year hiatus. The wait was worth it.

Eye Times by The Wax Museums

Denton-based punk rockers the Wax Museums obviously idolize the Ramones by the way they sing, write, and label themselves as musicians. After their three-year hiatus, the vintage punkers have finally released the new album Eye Times, out on June 28.

Although the tracks are short, in true grunge fashion, they serve as an alarm clock to a bored audience. Each song doesn’t stop until the last second, ending abruptly. Front man Paul Museum steadily holds his own, singing a majority of the vocals with heartfelt emotion. His lust and irritation come out in “Breakfast for Dinner,” a crude song about wanting sex instead of food. That’s what these guys are about: a simple message (thankfully not always about sex) played out with gritty riffs and loud vocals.

Jackson Sleestack

The Wax Museums

Listening to Eye Times paints a wild picture of tilted microphone stands and smashing guitars that can only be confirmed at a live show. “Sunburn” credits the cherished guitar skills of Daniel Fried, giving him some solo moments outside of the verses and choruses. Punk rock groups can’t exist on the lead singer alone, and Fried proves this in one short solo. Although the group resides in Denton, Deep Ellum would be a welcome home for the local band. Crowds there would eat them up.

The only question left unanswered by the three-years-in-the-making record is, Can they pull off a rock ballad? Yes, this isn’t the typical route a punk rock group would go, but the Wax Museums have the depth to croon through a song or two.

The Wax Museums promised us in April that Eye Times would be the "punkest album ever." The wait for three years was worth it: This complete album is grungy, fun, and might even surprise you.