What happens when a punk loses his youth? When that burning teenage angst that churns within begins to fade, and the logic and knowledge that comes with life experience starts to creep its way into a once stubborn mind?

When punk began 30 years ago, it sold itself on a certain hopelessness, a certain degradation and futureless outlook that was the driving force behind bands like the Sex Pistols and the Ramones.

Fortunately, The Bouncing Souls have been attempting to answer that very question for the past several years.

New Jersey Punk veterans who have lived every aspect of the genre for almost two decades, the Souls have reached the aforementioned maturity with a dignity and credibility unmatched by many of their contemporaries.

Now with "The Gold Record," the Souls show no signs of slowing down. The opening track, "The Gold Song," is as fast and urgent as anything they've done in the past.

When the band slows down for the second track, that is when this new world maturity begins to show. It's not that the band has softened really, they've just become more positive, and if the record has one ongoing theme it's to simply love life for what it is.

"Thanks to the music in our lives/forgive ourselves for all our lies/send some love to all the lonely/don't forget we're all one family," singer Greg Attonito sings in "So Jerse y."

It's this love and respect for the music they've grown up with, and the fans who have supported them throughout the years, that have made The Souls such a respected band over time.

On a song like the acoustic street ballad, "The Pizza Song," the band shows great range, and on "The New Thing," the Souls pronounce their duty in punk rock to stay true to the scene that has always been there for them.

Plus, the album's relative simplicity will make most of the songs perfect for their live shows, which are known for successfully eliminating the gap between performer and audience member.

It's clear to see the Bouncing Souls are growing up, and they're doing it by playing what they know best, simply good pop-punk minus the gloss and youthful shine of MTV's white belt and red tie crowd.