Simply plan on getting it

Oh, they'll be getting some soon.\nAirplay that is. Sales. Chart toppers. Or, all the above.\nSimple Plan's latest, Still Not Getting Any, is anything but simple. Covering everything from adolescent angst of being misunderstood to the inevitable breakup song to the cliché closing ballad, the Montreal pop-punk quintet distinctly separate itself from the one-hit wonders of mainstream music. Every song on this album has the potential to become a hit, and every chorus gets stuck in your head as these five reveal their true talent as witty lyricists and talented musicians. \nPrime example: the group takes a stab at dealing with real world issues in place of the normal whining of relationships. "Me Against the World" and "Crazy" both deal with the problems of society -- and while it's basically a laundry list, you'll damn near catch yourself wondering if everyone really IS crazy. \nAnd if you love sarcasm, you're bound to find it in just about every song, making this a far darker album than No Pads, No Helmets, Just Balls. While this more grown-up sound is primed to turn off the teenage girls, it is the perfect blend of realism and sinisterism that is sure to please a more mature audience that punk rivals Green Day and Good Charlotte achieved with their latest.\nIn addition to more mature lyrics, Simple Plan has evolved musically since its debut in 2002. Every harmony has flawless flow. Every power chord rings richly. And, oh yeah, the diversity of the album's tempo makes it perfect no matter what your mood. \nIf there is one black spot on this otherwise superb album -- it's the inane awkwardness of the first track "Shut Up." While the song itself isn't horrible -- the repetitiveness of the words "shut up" is enough to make anyone want to turn the album off after about 30 seconds. However, tough it out -- the rest of the album provides that cleverness that Simple Plan became famous for in its debut album. \nAs for the future -- if we have to wait another two years to see the same magnitude of improvement, it'll be worth the wait.