When the band Simple Plan started their music industry journey by opening for bands like Good Charlotte, the addiction to their music felt oddly familiar yet undeniable. This addiction that I speak of came in the form of pop + punk.

Originally perfected by Blink-182, the genre of pop-punk has been one that doesn’t seem to die and no one really wants it to. You’d be hard pressed to find a style of music that allows for a musician to sing about a broken heart, so up-tempo that the audience is bouncing to a height that there might as well be pogo sticks.

Along in the progression of pop-punk bands has come a new found gem out of the North. The band Hedley calls Canada home and yet their music has such promise that it’s made its way down South to those of us in the States. And I have to say that with their album Never Too Late, these guys have quickly become a new favorite.

For about 45 minutes, you finally get a chance to go back into the state of mind of insanity, childish enthusiasm, and endless energy. “3 2 1” may not be the first song on the album, but it’s the first one that makes an impression on me. The guitar leading in is almost perfect punk, so much so that if the song stopped there, you’d argue you were in a different decade (perhaps one a few back…70s?). But luckily for you and me the song doesn’t stop there. In fact, just to show you their ability, they mix it up a bit with a few cleverly placed “uh uh’s” on top of a sultry guitar, just to lead you back into the pop infused chorus. “Trip” starts off just the way it sounds, like you’re on a trip. OK, rather like you’re “tripping.” But that’s just a tease, because when the meat of the song comes in, it’s really a more powerful and emotion-packed ballad. This song is very quintessential Idol-ish and rightfully so: Jacob (lead vocals) placed third on the TV show Canadian Idol. Next I have to skip down to “Never Too Late” which has been elected their first single and once you hear it, that choice becomes so obvious. The song itself is really rather simple. But the combination of clever hooks and Jamaican rhythms makes this song infectious. This is one of those songs that you find yourself turning up the volume, just a little bit more and more. By the end, not only are you belting out “I’m gone” at the top of your lungs, but there’s some booty shakin’ going on. The fact that the lyrics are up lifting and inspirational are just icing on the sugar-coated pineapple cake. Moving down to “On My Own” brings us back to the “Simple” sound. Now these lyrics are up lifting as well, but in a slightly different way. This is more the type of song that you shake your fist in the air and lose your voice to. It’s not a fast as a few of the others, yet there’s enough energy to wear anyone out.

I like “Bone Shatter” – within the first 20 seconds of the song, I had that statement in my head. The bass entrance is ominous, yet at the same time causes you to stop in curiosity. A few moments later and some computer effects extend that curiosity. The strength of this song purely lies in the fact that there is no common thread. The levels move so quickly that you have to listen to it a few times just to make sure you’ve heard every piece. The mass appeal chorus, the space-craft sounds and the harmonized love proclamations are enough to snag any first time listener.

To end the album, Hedley chose a more mellow fashion. “Dying To Live Again” has a title that begs deep emotion assumptions. And you’d be right. The long, drawn chords meshed with delicate drums, give you a text book love ballad. That original energy is still there, it’s just focused in a different direction.