The campy, retro album covers of Goleta, California’s Lagwagon always betrayed the smart punk rock within. The band writes about lost love, forlorn disappointment and unanswered questions in a way that’s emotionally up front without being self-indulgent (a rare feat in the emo age). But Lagwagon didn’t even try to put a happy face on its latest, Resolve. The gray-sleeved album was written in the wake of former drummer Derrick Plourde’s suicide, and its songs alternate between trying to grasp the tragedy and describing day-to-day attempts to move on. The album would be a downer if not for its sense of renewal through contemplation. A sample lyric: “Today’s mantra is gratitude / You changed my life / I’m sure you knew I’ll never forget the words that you said / The life that you lead / I’ll never forget I’ll never forget.” Lagwagon will play songs from Resolve and its other brainy punk albums at the Engine Room, following sets by the Lawrence Arms and A Wilhelm Scream.
Mon., Aug. 7, 8 p.m.
This article appears in Aug 3-9, 2006.