Three years since their last album of original material, Smoking Popes return with a concept album about the life of an everyday teenager. Singer and songwriter Josh Caterer masterfully slips behind the eyes of his younger self to imagine a time when crushes were mysterious and a matter of life or death, when being a punk rocker meant his self-identity. All of this is brought together with great melodies and a tight band crunch. More straightforward than Weezer and with a flow as natural as the Ramones or the Descendants, Smoking Popes have never lost their punk-pop cred. “Diary of a Teen Tragedy” features a dramatic soliloquy. “Excuse, Me Coach” strips the sound down, as the singer admits he can’t imagine doing yet another push-up. “I’ve Got Mono” is a very funny upbeat tune about coming down with the dreaded sickness. “Letter to Emily,” with a complementary cello, ends things with a melody worthy of Paul McCartney. Chilling.