Moscow Penny Ante
Dead to Me · 2011
34 min · 12 tracks · punk rock
A raw blend of punk rock energy and sardonic lyrics, capturing the spirit of youthful disillusionment.
Top tracks — play these first
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Undertow — Opening the album with an infectious energy, this track sets the tone for the mix of urgency and introspection that defines the record.
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The Trials of Oscar Wilde — This song combines literary references with punk ethos, showcasing the band's knack for blending clever lyrics with catchy melodies.
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Victims of No Ambition — A standout anthem that captures feelings of stagnation and frustration, resonating deeply within the punk community's narrative of self-empowerment.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and energetic performances, though it lacks some cohesion in pacing.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks maintain a fast tempo with aggressive guitar riffs, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more melodic section.
- Several songs feature dual vocals that alternate between verses and harmonize in the choruses, creating a dynamic vocal interplay.
- The album closes with a track that features a gradual fade-out, leaving the listener with an unresolved feeling.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo energy
- introspective reflections on chaos
- short bursts of urgency
- ideal for focused listening
- catchy choruses for sing-alongs
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, slow builds
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Moscow Penny Ante is Dead to Me's third album, released in 2011 after their critically acclaimed sophomore effort, African Elephants. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their sound but were navigating lineup changes, as founding member Jack Dalrymple had departed for other projects, leading to a shift in their musical dynamics.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Against Me!· The Menzingers· Pennywise
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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I Love My Problems
The narrative shifts from irony to sincerity, revealing a deeper reflection on personal struggles.
This transition adds depth to the song, highlighting a juxtaposition between boasting and vulnerability that enriches its punk rock narrative.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Undertow 2:40
- 2 Reckless Behavior 2:39
- 3 The Evolution Will Be Tele‐Visualized 2:43
- 4 The Hand With Inherited Rings 2:54
- 5 No Lullabies 2:39
- 6 The Trials of Oscar Wilde 2:47
- 7 The Monarch Hotel 3:00
- 8 Never Relief 3:01
- 9 I Love My Problems 3:01
- 10 Dead Pigeon Tricks 2:32
- 11 Victims of No Ambition 2:54
- 12 The World Has Gone Mad 3:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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