Above the City cover

Above the City

Smoke or Fire · 2005

24 min · 12 tracks · punk

A raw punk rock explosion capturing frustration and defiance with relentless energy and incisive lyrics.

Why this album works

'Above the City' received positive critical acclaim within the punk community, noted for its sharp lyrics and energetic instrumentation. It helped the band gain traction on independent charts and contributed to the early 2000s punk revival, influencing emerging bands within the genre.
Career context
Released in January 2005, 'Above the City' marked Smoke or Fire's second album and solidified their presence in the punk rock scene following their debut, 'This Sinking Ship'. The album showcased a more polished sound while retaining the band's signature edge, reflecting their growth as songwriters and musicians.
Stylistic neighbors
Flatfoot 56· NOFX· Mongol Shuudan

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 California’s Burning Standout 2:27
  • 2 Filter 1:51
  • 3 Cops and Drugs Standout 1:29
  • 4 Goodbye to Boston Standout 2:31
  • 5 Culture as Given 1:50
  • 6 Delawhere 1:29
  • 7 Loving, Self‐Loathing 1:55
  • 8 Fire Escapes 1:39
  • 9 Southpaw 1:50
  • 10 The Hard Way 1:53
  • 11 Cryin’ Shame 2:44
  • 12 Point Break 2:20

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata