“It's the end of the old, a new era unfolds,” sings frontman Greg Attonito on the punk heroes' ninth studio album, 'Comet's driving opener 'Baptized'. He may be singing about worldwide uprisings and change in recent years and months but he could also be singing about the Bouncing Souls because this record is exactly the album they needed to make to start the next chapter in their career.

Having celebrated their 20th anniversary back in 2009 with a singles series that culminated in the patchy 2010 album 'Ghosts On The Boardwalk', you'd be forgiven for worrying that the Souls may have been running out of fuel. However, having inked a deal with kindred spirits at Rise (and becoming labelmates with Hot Water Music and Cheap Girls) and working with the legendary producer Bill Stevenson (Descendents, Hot Water Music, Rise Against) seems to have lit a fire under them.
'Comet' is a varied listen – both musically and thematically – from the serious and driving Rise Against-esque 'Baptized' and single 'Static' to the classic, fun-loving Souls sound of 'We Love Fun' and 'DFA'.

'Coin Toss Girl' is more melodic and 'Infidel' kicks out the jams with a fast-paced, Bad Religion-esque sound. Arguably the album's highlights – although it's all great and there's no fat on this ten tracker – are the sing-along title track and the closing acoustic-turned-electric number 'Ship in a Bottle'.

Overall the sound certainly owes more to their energetic, classic albums – 1999's 'Hopeless Romantic' and 2001's peak of 'How I Spent My Summer Vacation' – than their less focussed recent material and, while it's not on the same level as those two classic records, it's a joy to hear them rediscover the urgency and passion. Far from ignoring how fucked up and chaotic the world is today the Souls admirably address it head on but also still take the time to be thankful for the fun they have and their enduring friendships. In times like this we need bands like the Bouncing Souls to remind us about having fun. This is the Souls doing what they do best, and that's having a blast with stunning punk anthems and good times.