My album reviews
ACROPHOBE (2001)
Lagwagon's Joey searches for his limits in this epic masterpiece! You can't put this
one to any category (if you can put anything). Great guitar riffs, bass lines and skillful
drumming mixed with wonderful keyboards, incredible vocals and lots of crazy effects. Don't expect
anything like superfast drumming with superdistorted guitars - this is more like listening to a classical
orchestra! This would be a perfect record without one irritating cover-song. I also don't get that secret track
shit - somebody talking 8 minutes to a answering machine?! I buy albums for music, not for meaningless speaking.
Containing only 10 songs, it leaves you wanting more!
Best songs: Anecdote, Grey Suits, Logan's Run...
Grade (4-10): 10-
HOUSTON: WE HAVE A DRINKING PROBLEM (2002)
Limits reach a new dimension - this was definitely not what I expected! This is the slowest album I've ever bought
and I really had some problems to deal with it initially. Luckily it gets better every time you listen to it! The musical
surprises (rhythm changes, effects, riffs) are already a familiar mark for this band, but this time there are just a few
real climaxes that blowed my mind on the first album. And although the music is REALLY diverse, there is one similar
structure in almost every song - first comes a slow acoustic part and then they release the distortion!
It's not a huge problem though, but it cuts a slice from their surprises. At least this record isn't short - 47 minutes of good
music! This time I have to say, that there are some parts that could be a bit shorter (Man, am I hard to please or what?).
Best songs: These Days, Disarm, If I Had a Son...
Grade (4-10): 9-
NEEDLESS TO SAY (1997)
It seems like the great composers from the 18th and 19th centuries have risen from their graves and started a punkrock band!
One song's consistency for this band might be the ingredient for a whole album to some mediocrity pop-group! These parts just
seize your brain!! I can't explain it this better - you'll have to hear it yourself. I wonder how they survive these
masterpieces in live shows! It takes some CD-spins to get into some of their characteristic things (the high pitched singing
may sound irritating at first), but once you're in it, you just can't get out of it... I'm so fuckin' hooked!
P.S. I'm not going to tab them (at least not yet)- it would take weeks to complete even one song!
Best songs: In Reach, Wasted, Bent on Profit...
Grade (4-10): 10
FOREWORD (1999)
This time they got out of hand... they just got out of hand. The astonishingly diverse songwriting of Choke reached it's peak right here.
But when you get too diverse, you'll lose the string of the songs at some point and this is what happens in some parts of this still
quite magnificent album. If you're planning to start listening Choke, don't start with this one, cause it's not easy to get familiar with.
I just can't imagine the way they play these songs live. You just can't keep it all together... just can't!! Despite all this stunning diversity
your ears will surely find some really beautiful parts and riffs too. This time the most simple songs are the best ones - believe it or not!
Best songs: Recoil, Numb Phase, More than One Opponent...
Grade (4-10): 9½
THERE'S A STORY TO THIS MORAL (2002)
The really individual and unplagiarizable music of this band still hits me strong on this album too. The riffs, lines, vocals and
drums are so weirdly connected that it can't sound anything else than great! You can lose all your casual expectations of 1/4-rhythms and
predictable song structures. This time the songs are much longer and slower than the ones on the earlier albums. It would not be a problem, if the
intense feeling of these songs would not be lost in the long instrumental bridges like it happens in some parts of this record. Still, once again
it gets better all the time like all the good records that won't open their secrets during the first listenings. Lyrics are also (naturally)
really mature and deep, which really raises the feeling of the vocal parts, which are by the way sung with the power of THREE vocalists! Cool...
Best songs: Concrete Timeline, Every Word, The Hardest Things to See Are on Display...
Grade (4-10): 9+
SLOW FADE OR: HOW I LEARNED TO QUESTION INFINITY (2004)
Good bands don't get stuck - the progressive evolution of Choke continues... this time I didn't know what to expect. The band keeps their feet on the
ground with all the hyping and you'll just have to wait until you hear it yourself. And what did I hear? 54 minutes of beautifully constructed mixture of
riffs, melodies, rhythms and lyrics that strike down everything you've heard before. This is THE masterpiece - ultimate punk symphony. The songs don't
stop - they just become the next one slowly fading towards the end of the album. This is the drug you can't resist!
Best songs: Breathing Won't Come Easy, Until Next Tide, For Good Reason...
Grade (4-10): 10
HOMECOMING (1998)
Who says that punk bands can't play! Thousands of riffs and lines in these songs
and this is just their first album. I wonder what they will be after ten years!
Best songs: Insult to Injury, Going Blind, Nobody...
Grade (4-10): 10-
VIPER ETHICS (2003)
So... I've done something very historical now: I have bought my first domestic (Finnish) album! And no regrets...
I thought that there were no good individual bands in my home country - that there were only very trivial bands or bands
that didn't have any skills to make music. I was wrong! This group has invented riffs, parts and styles that don't fade compared
with their foreign cousins. The band members aren't gods with their instruments, but those drums, guitars, bass and vocals act so
beautifully together, that it forces you to really like this band! The vocals are very powerful and full of feeling and you can't
really tell that this is a "non-English" band from the great lyrics (in English). Only thing that matters is that the song
structures are predictable and you almost know what to expect after the first minute. But as I said - the parts are so
strong that they'll keep you rockin' throughout the album. Check the clips from their homepage and get the record! You won't regret either...
Best songs: Dynamite Days, In Neon, Skeleton Key...
Grade (4-10): 9
FIRST AID KIT (2005)
After all the feeling-packed sweat-dripping gigs I had survived with this remarkable live-act band, I was thirsty
for a new album. This time they had more time and they put more effort to every part of their music. They also introduce
a new instrument: small electric synth that sounds like the first Nintendo, but it fits in real well and makes the melodies
more diverse. There is no bad songs on this album - they're all equally good. Even the real slow piece
in the end is good. Sometimes the vocalist sounds like he's twisting his voice too much, but the parts where he shouts
his lungs out compensate this flaw. I've already seen DE live after this album too and they even get better every time!
Ready to go stage-diving!
Best songs: This Is My Head Exploding, Drop Dead Casanova, See if I Care...
Grade (4-10): 9+
Joey Cape & Tony Sly
ACOUSTIC (2004)
So... I bought an acoustic album. Why? Just because I like the bands that these guys usually are in? Nope. Beacuse I believe
that they both are excellent musicians and can probably invent something spectacular to these old songs with acoustic instruments also.
Let's see... I'll have to grade them separately, because the achievements are so different.
TONY SLY: First thing - if you want to make acoustic versions of your band's old songs I think that you should add something new to them.
Sly keeps this too simple. He just plays the same songs with acoustic guitar without any special tricks or new parts. I believe some 15-year old teenie
would weep her eyes out, but I just got quite bored... I've heard this before! Only the one new song really is something... well "new"!
But there's one thing that I give Tony credit for - he plays all the instruments in the songs by himself.
Best songs: Exit, Stunt Double, Justified Black Eye...
Grade (4-10): 8-
JOEY CAPE: You know what you get! This guy's experiments with Bad Astronaut can really be heard in these songs. Not just Caper playing the
acoustic, but dozens of other instruments played by his friends. Every song has it's own mysterious mood and you'll just have to love it!
The structures, notes and chords are so well reworked that every song feels completely new. Just sing along my friend...
Best songs: Move the Car, Twenty-Seven, Violet...
Grade (4-10): 10-
DUH (1992)
Great riffs and songs even when the lyrical content is a little bit "clumsy".
Style is diverse and the best parts of Lag Wagon are already shown.
Best songs: Foiled Again, Noble End, Parents Guide to Living...
Grade (4-10): 9+
TRASHED (1994)
I would not trash this one! Every song on this album is astonishing (except Going South -
I hate that choir-part!) These men really know how to make and play music.
Best songs (tough choice): Island of Shame, Stokin' the Neighbors, Coffee & Cigarettes...
Grade (4-10): 10
HOSS (1995)
Great songs, but little bit more speed would have made them even more greater.
Also some "pop-elements" I dislike. Nice to listen anyway...
Best songs: Sick, Rifle, Weak...
Grade (4-10): 9
DOUBLE PLAIDINUM (1997)
OK record, but still kinda weak. Too many slow songs, although they include two of
the best that I've ever heard!
Best songs: Alien 8, Making Friends, Choke...
Grade (4-10): 8½
LET'S TALK ABOUT FEELINGS (1999)
Lag's fifth album - perfect - simply the best!
Best songs: After You My Friend, Leave the Light On, May 16...
Grade (4-10): 10
LET'S TALK ABOUT LEFTOVERS (2000)
New songs are great, but rest of the record really are leftovers, even when
there are really great ones too!
Best songs: Jimmy Johnson, Wind in Your Sail, The Champ...
Grade (4-10): 9
BLAZE (2003)
I had almost buried my hope for a new Wagon-album, when suddenly a lightning stroke from the bright sky!
And what can I say?!?! The new "kick" the band (and especially Joey) got from their long break really blowed my mind!
EVERY song on this album is great and the band really is on fire (name fits)!!! Joey is undoubtedly one of the best song writers on
this lonely planet. Only thing that felt kinda weird and distant were the blazing guitar solos that sometimes sound like the ones on their
first demo thousands of years ago (they are also predicting some hard times in tabbing too :) ). This is a must-have for everyone who likes
melodic punkrock music! Buy it! Now! (Am I reviewing or advertising?)
Best songs: Burn, Dividers, Never Stops...
Grade (4-10): 10
LIVE IN A DIVE (2003)
Good vibes on this album. The band seems to enjoy playing live even with Joey feeding
us his never-ending self-sarcasm. Most impressive thing of this band’s live-act is the unbelievably solid drumming of
Dave Raun (aka The Gas Man). In couple of songs it sounds like even the other
band members have hard time keeping up with this “machine”. Sounds are ok and song
content is good: there are many of my old favourites. They also have a couple
of songs never heard before, from which The Chemist is just astonishing. Can’t
wait to see them live!
Best songs: Island of Shame, Razor Burn, The Chemist...
Grade (4-10): 9+
RESOLVE (2005)
Recent unfortunate death of Lagwagon’s former drummer Derrick Plourde made the
band to pay a tribute to this man’s life and that way cope with their feelings.
This theme is apparent throughout the whole album. In fact, there’s probably
only one song not somehow connected to Derrick (Automatic). I heard that the songs
were composed in a really short time and I think it somehow comes out in some “clumsier
than usually”-parts. But Lagwagon will have to fuck up a lot to make songs not sound
good. However, the solid throughout quality of, for example, Blaze is not
achieved. Anyway, the opening of this album is one of the best ever - hits you straight
in your face!! R.I.P Derrick - you were a great drummer, and seemingly a good lad also!
Best songs: Heartbraking Music, Automatic, The Contortionist...
Grade (4-10): 9
DUCK AND COVER (1998)
Contains some really great songs full of aggressive feeling, but also a couple of songs
I just can't listen. Those songs sound just like finnish pop-music! Aaargghh! I like diverse music,
but the limit must be put somewhere. Horns on this record are marvellous!
Best songs: Road Rash, The Gentleman, No Hope...
Grade (4-10): 8½
THE HOLIDAY HAS BEEN CANCELLED (2000)
This band really has some talent! Astonishing mix of horns and guitars powered with
feeling-packed singing and great drums. Containing only five songs (one ABBA remix - not really good)
you'll want more right away.
Best songs: Falling Down, Nobody Wins at the Laundromat, Something's Wrong at the Playground...
Grade (4-10): 9+
ROCK THE PLANK (2001)
Excellent songs with great instrumental choices. These guys are professionals!
Best songs: Shaving Your Life, Bridges, Depleted Salvo...
Grade (4-10): 10-
JUST ONE MORE (2003)
Umm... this should have been a great record. But, I just don't like it that much. Why? There are too
many poppish songs - some songs are just like on MTV. And the songs not so poppish aren't as good as their
older ones like on Rock the Plank or Duck and Cover. Perhaps the most annoying thing are the lyrics... This
"I don't care"-attitude is something world doesn't need today. If the lyrics aren't about sex, booze or drugs
they're like from the B-side of the earliest NOFX-productions. "Riot, my hands in the air. Riot, we don't
fucking care." - now that's what I call LAME!! Ok... crushed down? There still are couple of really listenable
pieces. "Leavin'" is just great...
Best songs: Villains, Leavin', Wet Dog...
Grade (4-10): 7½
LIFE ON A PLATE (1995)
It was about time... Millencolin has been one of my so called "good, but not THAT good"-bands for a while, but
suddenly something happened. I thought that: "what the hell, let's listen to it with open mind this time". After
a few spins this album hit me like a 1000 volts! It's full of great songs with incredible riffs, drums and those
characteristic vocals that I once hated were suddenly the best thing on Earth. And there's one distinct feature
that raises this album as one of the best ones ever published: the absolute pureness! They were not thinking of
hitting the charts with this punkrock piece - they did it as fair as possible! And you hear it... goddamn you hear it!
Best songs: Move Your Car, Friends 'til the End, Dr Jackal & Mr. Hide...
Grade (4-10): 10
FOR MONKEYS (1997)
This album was released in a hurry after lots of touring around and you can somehow see it. Although this album includes some of
their best inventions ever there are some really mediocre ones too just like on their later album Home from Home - although
not in the same way. If you have seen their video they even admit it themselves. One thing that reflects the rush is the clumsiness
of the lyrics. But the great songs on this one are so great that it almost compensates the worse ones... almost.
Best songs: Twenty Two, Trendy Winds, Lights Out...
Grade (4-10): 8½
PENNYBRIDGE PIONEERS (1999)
The more adult and calmed down band than in their previous releases, Millencolin travelled all across The Atlantic to record
this album. They have focused more on the "pop" side of punkrock and have left the ultraspeedy "sub-hc" riffs behind.
It's not good, but it's not too bad either! There are couple of really sloppish songs, that I just can't listen, but
luckily plenty of great ones too. Band is playing wonderfully together and the parts they offer in some songs just make
you blow your head off! P.S. Check out the song called "Queen's Gambit", which was left off from this album - one of the
best songs I know!!!
Best songs: No Cigar, Material Boy, Stop to Think...
Grade (4-10): 9
HOME FROM HOME (2002)
Naah... Although this is a lot more "rock" and scarce sounding than the previous album, I don't like it that much. There are a couple
of really awful songs and a couple of real highlights, but then there is too many mediocre songs too. I mean the songs are quite ok, but there's
just something missing from them. Plus comes from the vocals, which are sung with an aggressive feeling. I don't know what to say anymore - don't
start listening Millencolin with this album. Dot.
Best songs: Happiness for Dogs, Afghan, Greener Grass...
Grade (4-10): 8+
KINGWOOD (2005)
The problem with Millencolin is that they always hype their albums too much before they are released. This should have been their
"best ever", "like the old days", "faster than ever" and blablabla... you always get disappointed! It's just like the last one. Some
songs you hate, some songs you love and the rest is blablabla... They have remarkable songwriting skills, but they just have lost it somewhere.
Best songs: Farewell My Hell, Biftek Supernova, Stalemate...
Grade (4-10): 8
MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL (1984-88)
If you're looking for hardcore, you must purchase this.
Scrappy sound, wrong key and rhythm - but no lack of feeling!
Best songs: My Friends, Shitting Bricks, Bob Turkee...
Grade (4-10): 7
LIBERAL ANIMATION (1988)
Great songs and riffs even with little scrappy sound,
but Mike's voice isn't very entertaining.
Best songs: Mr.Jones, Beer Bong, Piece...
Grade (4-10): 8+
S&M AIRLINES (1989)
Getting better all the time. Great riffs on this record!
A little bit too long songs and quite an impression of heavy music.
Best songs: Day to Daze, Five Feet Under, Jaundiced Eye...
Grade (4-10): 9-
RIBBED (1991)
This is it! These songs are marvellous! Just listen and you'll see why.
Best songs: Green Corn, Showerdays, The Malachi Crunch...
Grade (4-10): 10
THE LONGEST LINE (1992)
Why they didn't make full length LP (only 5 songs)? Every song is full
of pure energy and super riffs! Introducing El Hefe.
Best songs: The Death of John Smith, Stranded, Remnants...
Grade (4-10): 10
WHITE TRASH, TWO HEEBS AND A BEAN (1992)
This record shows how versatile NOFX is! Jazz, ska, punk - all together.
You can't get bored.
Best songs: Stickin' in My Eye, Bob, She's Gone...
Grade (4-10): 10
PUNK IN DRUBLIC (1994)
Record, which sold over 400 000 copies! No wonder, even when
there are some fill-songs.
Best songs: Linoleum, Dying Degree, Lori Meyers...
Grade (4-10): 9+
I HEARD THEY SUCK LIVE (1995)
Have you ever heard NOFX live? If you haven't you must buy this!
Packed with feeling and great fun.
Grade (4-10): 9½
HEAVY PETTING ZOO (1996)
Great songs, but lack of speed and feeling is a problem.
Best songs: Bleeding Heart Disease, Release the Hostages, Black and White...
Grade (4-10): 9-
FUCK THE KIDS (1996)
Good old days mixed with good these days. Hard-core pieces, which were recorded at the first try.
No-one can get bored!
Best songs: Reagan Sucks, My Name's Bud, Please Stop Fucking My Mom...
Grade (4-10): 9
SO LONG AND THANKS FOR ALL THE SHOES (1997)
Not original NOFX, but still a great record. Lyrics and riffs are super!
Best songs: 180 Degrees, The Desperation's Gone, Flossing a Dead Horse...
Grade (4-10): 9+
THE DECLINE (1999)
One song, which consists of the best elements of NOFX. If someone says that punk
bands repeat themselves play this 18 minute track to him. Minus comes from the last three minutes.
Best songs: Hmmmm...
Grade (4-10): 10-
PUMP UP THE VALUUM (2000)
Back to White Trash... I guess. Although quite easy riffs, the songs are so diverse that I just
can't stop listening this one. And the lyrics - Goddamn!
Best songs: Take Two Placebos And Call Me Lame, Dinosaurs Will Die, Herojuana...
Grade (4-10): 10
SURFER (2001)
This is a sequel to the famous Fuck the Kids 7". Although all the songs are recorded at the first try,
the playing and singing go well together. Also Mike's voice isn't as "blurry" as in FTK. You can see the band's
developement from this kind of "tomfoolery".
Best songs: Fun Things to Fuck/Juice Head, Whoa on the Whoas, 3 Shits to the Wind...
Grade (4-10): 9½
NOFX/RANCID (2002)
I don't know why I don't like covers, but that's just how it is. I think it's lame to publish something, that
someone else has done before, although these guys change the songs quite a bit. NOFX's songs just don't fit with
Rancid and Rancid's songs don't fit with NOFX. Luckily both bands are usually making songs they can do best!
Anyway, it's fun to listen how Freeman rearranges Mike's bass lines!
Best songs: I'm the One, Antennaes, Stickin' in My Eye...
Grade (4-10): 7+
45 OR 46 SONGS THAT WEREN'T GOOD ENOUGH TO GO ON OUR OTHER RECORDS (2002)
Finally they did it! All (well almost all) the songs from the rare compilations and non-CD albums now under the
same covers! Contains some absolutely great ones, but also some really shitty songs. One thing sucks big time: Fuck
the Kids and Surfer both lack one song from the LP's. Annoyed? Yes, thanks!!! Fuck you FM!!!
Best songs: We Threw Gasoline.., Lower, Zyclone B Bathhouse...
Grade (4-10): 9
REGAINING UNCONSCIOUSNESS (2003)
What is this EP for? All the songs except one will be on the forthcoming full-length album too. And that extra-song is even
the worst one (or should I say the 4th best - it's still a good song). I smell money, although that's not typical of NOFX.
I'm not going to buy a whole CD because of one 1:55 minutes long song! I have guts to wait the LP, which by the way will probably
be one of their best ever! These three songs from it are just SOOOO great!!!! Lyrics, music, feeling... everything like NOFX does it best!
Best songs: Medio-core, Idiots Are Taking Over, Franco Un-American...
Grade (4-10): ?
WAR ON ERRORISM (2003)
Aww...This is almost too much for me... the new real Lagwagon and NOFX albums in a one month after three years of waiting. I've been
spending quite amounts of time with my stereos recently! When I had listened the first eight songs of this album, I felt like
"Damn, this will be their best album ever!". But after these masterpieces follows some not as great songs. I don't know why I don't
like them that much. "13 Stitches", "We Got Two Jealous Agains" (still funny lyrics) and "Re-gaining Unconsciousness" are really good
songs, but not as great as the other ones on this album. And "Anarchy Camp" just plainly sucks (although it's still great that they
keep braking the musical borders). What about the overall view? They have added a plenty of "ROCK" into "punkROCK" and I must say that
it fits really well. You can never get bored with this band - every album offers something new when the cool basic characteristic things
still keep up too. One of the best properties of this record is the lyrical content. Mike's vocabulary and rhymes+nonrhymes are something
worth listening to. And there's still one distinct feature: you can't get more political and stand-taking than this. And although some of
you don't agree with lots of things NOFX is singing about (as I don't agree with their drug-politics) you must agree that it's a good thing
that somebody wants to present their opinions in this uncaring world of no opinions.
Best songs: Idiots Are Taking Over, Decom-posuer, Medio-core...
Grade (4-10): 9½
Monthly 7"s (2005)
What is this money-making all about??? I won't be cheated! Why not make one good solid album instead... I'm pissed!
NEVER TRUST A HIPPIE (2006)
Same thing as with Regaining Unconsciousness: couple of samples from the upcoming album and couple of songs, which were already
published on Monthly 7"s. Big deal. Unfortunately there are four suberb songs (not including Golden Boys and You're Wrong).
Best songs: Seeing Double at the Triple Rock, The Marxist Brothers, I am Going to Hell for This One...
Grade (4-10): ?
WOLVES IN WOLVES' CLOTHING (2006)
Finally, after those fucking Monthly 7"s we got a full-length album. And it, by the way, includes the best songs from that vinyl collection - in CD quality!
Well, I somehow guessed it in advance - "all you know is their money..." :). Unfortunately, even routine 60% NOFX with re-recorded songs sounds just great.
Beautiful riffs and catchy parts just fit so well together with Mike's lyrics and pitchy voice.
Can't complain, what more can you ask for? However, first half of this album is a lot better than the last. What else... Triple Rock ROCKS! Now let's wait for the next
super-extra-colored-vinyl-weekly-7"-2nd-best-songs-collection.
Best songs: USA-holes, Seeing Double at the Triple Rock, You Will Lose Faith...
Grade (4-10): 9½
THE DAILY GRIND (1993)
Short CD, only 8 songs, but astonishingly great one. There are many parts
that sound like Metallica, but I forgive that. Even when the sound is little bit scrappy this record
leaves a mood, which a good punk album always does.
Best songs: Until It's Gone, Countdown, Feeding the Fire...
Grade (4-10): 9½
!LECHE CON CARNE! (1995)
Great melodies, riffs and lyrics. Can't say more - almost a perfect one. There's something, that prevents
the minus to drop down... Fat Mike has a surprise on this one too!
Best songs: 51 days, Straight from the Jacket, Exit...
Grade (4-10): 10-
MAKING FRIENDS (1997)
These guys know how to play and make melodic and feeling packed parts, but the songs aren't very surprising.
(Except Growing Down). Very short one too as a full length album.
Best songs: The Answer Is Still No, On the Outside, 3 Month Weekend...
Grade (4-10): 9
MORE BETTERNESS (1999)
Slow and a little bit "poppish", but I fuckin' love this album. Great melodies and lyrics with maximum
sound quality make this record so easy to like.
Best songs: Not Your Savior, Six Degrees from Misty, Saddest Song...
Grade (4-10): 9½
LIVE IN A DIVE (2001)
Great sound and absolutely fantastic feeling on this live-record. You can sense the tense through the speakers!
Still, this record doesn't offer a lot of new stuff. More improvising (like NOFX did) would give some more potential.
Grade (4-10): 9
HARD ROCK BOTTOM (2002)
This is great! You don't know how hard it was to pick those best songs. This album maintains it's quality from the beginning
to the very end (except once again they had to made that awful cover song - stop that guys, please!). There is also one little
thing that keeps the minus behind that ten. Almost half of the songs tell about love. Love is a great thing, but there are also
millions of other things to sing about. You get your love-baby-uh-ah-me-and-U- quote full, when you turn on the radio. And it's
kinda lame when you are leaving someone, coming home to someone, far away from someone, pretending to someone and missing someone
you love at the same time. Carrie, Angela... Wow! Tony seems to be quite a heartbreaker! (although he sleeps all the time :) )
Best songs: International You Day, Any Number Can Play, Let Me Down...
Grade (4-10): 10-
THE OFFSPRING (1989)
Not a bad one for a first album. Sound of the instruments is a little
bit scrappy.
Best songs: Elders, Beheaded, Kill the President...
Grade (4-10): 8
IGNITION (1992)
Ok record. Clear riffs, but Dexter's voice is little bit strange and silent.
Best songs: Get It Right, Burn It Up, L.A.P.D....
Grade (4-10): 8½
SMASH (1994)
These songs kick ass!! Great sound and suberb riffs throughout the record.
Best songs: Bad Habit, Come Out and Play, Smash...
Grade (4-10): 10
IXNAY ON THE HOMBRE (1997)
It has been said that success isn't good for a punk band. There are too
many pop songs, which aren't really The Offspring in this record.
Best songs: The Meaning of Life, All I Want, Change the World...
Grade (4-10): 8½
AMERICANA (1998)
I was afraid that this one is the poppest of the pop, but it's great!
Luckily they're not changing their whole style.
Best songs: Have You Ever, No Brakes, Americana...
Grade (4-10): 9+
@#!* (1999)
Basic melodic punk songs. Nothing unusual, but nice to listen just
like The Offspring even when it's faster and more melodic.
Best songs: Soberbeah, Second Best, Sick...
Grade (4-10): 9-
TOGETHER AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME (2001)
I must say that I'm a little bit disappointed. A couple of astonishingly great songs in the beginning, but the
rest of the record is just not that good. I wonder how it has affected the band when the former guitarist Jim
Cherry left the band and started Zero Down, which does great songs. On this one, the vocals and riffs are not so catchy
than in the last album. Includes probably some of the best songs by Pulley, but definitely the worst too.
Best songs: In Search, Hooray for Me, Lost Trip...
Grade (4-10): 8
SIX DEGREES OF VARIATION (2003)
I suddenly found two songs from this album through the internet and I liked them a lot. Great surprising songs with a little
taste of heavy-metal. Unfortunately they were the two best songs from this album. I was also little disappointed when I found out
that there were only six songs on this one. I must have ordered it with my eyes closed! There are two great ones, two ok-songs
and two basic IluvU basic pop-punk pieces. Damn! I excpected so much more! We'll see in the future, if they find their own path...
Best songs: Free, The Fifth, Alone...
Grade (4-10): 8½
THE UNRAVELING (2001)
Whoa! These guys surely don't hide their anger! And even if full of energy they never cross the line of pointless screaming and
beating of instruments. Their playing and composing skills and Tim's undoubtely one of the best punkrock voices ever make this
so enjoyable that I just can't stop listening it. 16 songs and there's not even one I would like to drop off: they just have invented
so catchy riffs and melodies that they'll stick into your head right away. Time to time I find myself singing these parts in my head!
And this was just their 1st album... oh man!
Best songs: Great Awakening, The Unraveling, Reception Fades...
Grade (4-10): 10
REVOLUTIONS PER MINUTE (2003)
Pure and honest punkrock! That's what this band and album represents. Excellent guitar riffs and bass lines plus
intense drumming keep it rockin' throughout the whole record. But what's still the best thing in this band, is the
vocalist Tim and his magnificent voice! He can sing with a very clear sound and then suddenly scream his palate out
of his mouth! There's some so feeling-packed songs and parts that it'll take hours to recover after listening. You
can sense the REAL anger through the speakers! (sometimes it even gets too angry for me!) If they would have added a little
bit more surprises in the songs, this would be one the greatest albums ever! Now it's just GREAT!!
Best songs: Black Masks & Gasoline; Blood-red, White & Blue; Torches...
Grade (4-10): 9+
SIREN SONG OF THE COUNTER CULTURE (2004)
Before recording their third full-length album this band changed their guitarist and record label. It's much bigger label
than Fat Wreck so is the one of the most honest bands I'm listening now heading for great success? After you have heard the
first song you'll know that their intent is not to hit the charts with this shit! But they surely made me to lose some more brain cells
again with those raging riffs and vocals that I'm already familiar with. This is surely the same band, but with some progress: better sound,
more complete songs than on their previous one and lyrics full of extreme consciousness! There's one surprisingly good acoustic song also, but
mostly they are just doing what they know best: "We're throwing wrenches in the gears!"...
Best songs: To Them These Streets Belong; Tip the Scales, Dancing for Rain...
Grade (4-10): 10-
HERO OF OUR TIME (1995)
Packed with fuckin' great feeling, riffs and speed! If you like hard, but melodic
punkrock, then you must purchase this. I'll guarantee no regrets... by the way, don't
be frightened by the name - this band has nothing to do with Satan!
Best songs: The Treaty and the Bridge, Puppet, Head Under Water...
Grade (4-10): 10
666 MOTOR INN (1996)
Well here's an album, which is made with pure FUCK OFF!!!!-feeling! This is something between
melodic hardcore and not so melodic hardcore. Great record, which keeps your adrenaline pumping for hours...
Best songs: Lost; Fuck off, You Filthy Bastards; Don't Fade Away...
Grade (4-10): 9½
GOING NOWHERE FAST (1998)
Not so "brutal" as Motor Inn. Well, the songs have a lot of potential, but they sound a bit like Rodrigo
didn't have too much enthusiasm writing them compared for example with the terrific songs of Hero of Our Time.
There are also too many monotonous (single note) singing parts.
Best songs: intro + outro, Big Bad Wolf, That Song...
Grade (4-10): 9
FRAGMENTS AND FRACTIONS (2000)
They have totally changed their style on this record. The sound (especially guitar) is crappy, but
the songs are great although million times slower than usually. It's not so good that Tomek (the bassist)
left this band, 'cause he was astonishing, but I must say that I like this new guy also.
Best songs: Pulling the Strings, My Daily Routine, Throw in the Towel...
Grade (4-10): 9+
UNCONSCIOUSLY CONFINED (2002)
SS have found a great sound for this album after the last "little bit" crappy one. Rodrigo's vocals and
songwriting skills are better than ever, but unfortunately this time what these qualities win - feeling loses...
Contains a couple of fantastic masterpieces, but also some really irrelevant songs. Shame. They used to have an album
full of masterpieces. Anyway, don't think that this is a bad record! It's just that I'm a little bit disappointed...
Best songs: Thoughts, Words, Action; State of Conformity; Up for Sale...
Grade (4-10): 9-
MUTE PRINT (2003)
I don't remember anymore, how I found this band, but it was before I knew they were going to support Lagwagon
on their European tour. It just suddenly was there. "The Rip" was there. The ultimate crystallization of everything
I love in punkrock! Other songs don't let you down either. This band's use of two guitars is unbelievably beautiful:
instead of just playing power and octave chords they add simultaneous melodies with different keys. Fast bass lines and
solid drumming are not just on the background either! Vocals (sung by three different guys!) are also very powerful and
full of primordial rage and anger. What else do you need?
Best songs: William Blake Overdrive; The Rip; Stab, Stab, Stab...
Grade (4-10): 9½
RUINER (2005)
Bought in the same time with the Mute Print this record turned out to be even more fascinating! 14 songs and almost
40 minutes of beautifully welded instruments and fierce vocals! Melodic guitars struggling intensively with each other
is already characteristic to this band. If you're a friend of melodic talented punkrock like me, you surely shouldn't miss
this one! Only thing that bothers me are some of the awkward song names - I just don't get them? BTW, CD-covers are one of
the best ever. "Beautiful" pictures...
Best songs: The King Is Dead, The Soft Sell, Me vs. Morrissey in the Pretentiousness Contest (The Ladder Match)...
Grade (4-10): 10-
WITH A LIFETIME TO PAY (1995)
This was this band's first and last album because of the sudden death of their lead singer and bassist Jim Cherry (R.I.P.).
I had only heard one of their songs ("Down This Road" on some Fat Wreck comp.) before I bought this album so I took a risk
I usually don't. I saw this album in one record store in New York and thought that this was my last chance if I'm ever
going to get it. I'm surely not disappointed! This is as pure as it gets and the band interacts beautifully with each other:
drummer is playing his individual tricks all the time and guitar riffs are powerful. And everything is kept in control by Jim's bass
and feeling-packed (alhtough quiet) vocals. Some songs are not so strong from the beginning to end, but one thing is sure:
I wouldn't want to change places with living Jim... his frustration and disappointment with almost everything is so real that it makes you think
what the things really were that lead him to his death. "I've silenced my contempt, I've restrained my bitter rage and now I choke to death
on the words I didn't say" are his last words on this album... hrrr creepy!!
Best songs: The Way It Is, No Apologies, Everybody's Whore...
Grade (4-10): 9
Don't send me any comments, because these are my own opinions and you
can't affect them! But if you are fed up with all this grading, maybe
you would want to release your agressions by playing good old DOOM II
with my homemade WAD, BOTOOM. Yeah, I know - it's an old and worn-out
game, but with my WAD it's an experience that you have never felt before.
If you are ready for ultimate pain, suck it from here -->
BOTOOM.ZIP
Unzip this to your DOOM II directory, read the text file and start by
entering botoom.
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