Season 2 begins with Box Car Racer’s self-titled album—a cult favourite we all loved in high school. Joined by our friend Ben, we revisit the record to see if it still holds up. Also: deeply embarrassing high school stories, a parody that should never resurface, comments from the break, and the first songs we ever wrote.

Next week’s album: Bark Like a Dog by Screeching Weasel.

It’s the Pop-Punk Book Club Season Finale and Christmas Special! We recap the season, break down the best and worst ratings, reveal some surprising data, hand out our official Season 1 Awards, and crown the best Christmas song of the year. No album next week—we’ll see you in February 2026.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at the Pop-Punk Book Club!

In the penultimate episode of the season, the boys rate Ocean Avenue by Yellowcard—an album they both loved in high school but were surprised by in this listen (songs they didn’t expect hit the hardest). Also: a bizarre flight encounter, one of Jayson’s most embarrassing stories yet involving a man with cerebral palsy, a deep dive into three top pop-punk album lists and a surprise reveal about next week’s season finale.

Next week’s album… there is none! We've got something fun planned.

See you at the season finale.