Top tracks — play these first
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Aces Up Start here — This opening track sets an energetic tone with its catchy hooks and fast-paced rhythms, encapsulating the band's signature style. Its lyrical themes of resilience and optimism resonate throughout the album.
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Best of Times — With its reflective lyrics and upbeat melody, this song represents a nostalgic yet hopeful look at life's fleeting moments, embodying the album's overarching themes.
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Stay on Your Feet — This track features an empowering message about perseverance, highlighted by infectious riffs that showcase MxPx's ability to blend punk energy with uplifting sentiments.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and energetic performances but lacks standout tracks that elevate it significantly.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks maintain a fast tempo with driving guitar riffs, while the fourth track introduces a slower pace that contrasts sharply.
- Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the melodic aspect of the punk sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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 lyrics with punch
- short tracks for quick bursts
- engaging sing-along moments
- for casual listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy musical explorations
- seek slow, atmospheric soundscapes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Reinforced MxPx's relevance after a six-year hiatus, showcasing continued vitality.
- Career context
- Released in 2012, Plans Within Plans marked MxPx's first album in six years, following their 2006 release, Secret Weapon. This album came during a period of transition for the band, as they were evolving their sound while still maintaining their punk rock roots. It showcased a renewed energy and commitment to their craft after a lengthy hiatus.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lagwagon· No Use for a Name· Pennywise
Tracklist
- 1 Aces Up Start here 2:27
- 2 Screw Loose 1:07
- 3 Nothing Left 2:50
- 4 The Times 2:55
- 5 In the Past 2:29
- 6 Best of Times 3:27
- 7 Stay on Your Feet 3:11
- 8 Lucky Guy 2:46
- 9 Far Away 3:04
- 10 Cast Down My Heart 2:11
- 11 When It Comes to You 3:19
- 12 Inside Out 2:53
- 13 Nothing’s Gonna Change 2:40
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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