This Is Only a Test
Smoking Popes · 2011
37 min · 10 tracks · pop-punk
A vibrant blend of pop-punk melodies and introspective lyrics that capture the essence of youthful angst and nostalgia.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Wish We Were — Opening with a catchy riff, this track encapsulates the longing for connection and nostalgia that permeates the album.
-
→
Diary of a Teen Tragedy — This song cleverly blends humor with poignant observations about adolescent struggles, showcasing the band's knack for storytelling.
-
→
Punk Band — A self-referential anthem about the punk lifestyle, this track embodies the spirit and playful attitude central to the pop-punk genre.
-
→
Letter to Emily — Closing out the album, this emotionally charged ballad reflects on lost love, highlighting the band's ability to balance upbeat sounds with deeper themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines energetic pop-punk melodies with reflective lyrics, though it doesn't fully stand out in its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a brisk pace, maintaining mid-tempo throughout the first half before slowing down in the latter tracks.
- Each song features prominent guitar riffs and layered vocal harmonies, creating a consistent pop-punk sound across the record.
- Several tracks incorporate introspective lyrics that contrast with the upbeat instrumentation, adding depth to the overall feel.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
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 sing-alongs
- youthful angst and longing
- nostalgic reflections on adolescence
- energetic tracks for road trips
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek complex, sprawling narratives
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2011, This Is Only a Test marked Smoking Popes' return after an extended hiatus following their breakup in 1998. This album came nearly a decade after their last studio release, making it a significant comeback that reestablished their presence in the pop-punk scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Get Up Kids· Jawbreaker· Alkaline Trio
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Wish We Were 2:39
- 2 How Dangerous 3:24
- 3 This Is Only a Test 3:39
- 4 College 4:19
- 5 Punk Band 2:45
- 6 Freakin Out 3:40
- 7 Diary of a Teen Tragedy 4:02
- 8 Excuse Me, Coach 4:42
- 9 I’ve Got Mono 3:26
- 10 Letter to Emily 4:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.