Enema Of The State [ECD] [PA] - Blink 182 > Reviews > Gone But Not Forgotten

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	A fantastic Pop Punk party album
Disadvantages:	Lyrical intelligence is at times rather low

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Blink 182 were a Californian Pop Punk band active between the years of 1992 and 2005. After the band went on their 'indefinite hiatus' early in 2005, Tom DeLonge formed his own Angels and Airwaves band and the other two members that made up the trio that was Blink 182 went on to form the band +44. Whilst Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker continued to focus on Pop Punk with their new band +44, Tom DeLonge went down a whole different route with Angels and Airwaves; a band of the alternative rock genre. During their 13 years Blink 182 released five studio albums and a live album also, with a 'Greatest Hits' album following on from the announcement of their hiatus some nine months later.

Released in 1999, 'Enema Of The State' was the bands third studio album and is without a doubt my favourite of the five that they released. The most successful of their five studio albums, 'Enema Of The State' has sold in excess of 15 million copies worldwide; the first Blink 182 album to feature drummer Travis Barker. Scott Raynor had previously been the drummer for the band, however was removed in 1998 due to his drink problem. As a resultant success of the 'Enema Of The State' album, Blink 182 were acclaimed 'Best New Act' at the MTV Europe Awards 2000.

Never a band to take themselves too seriously, 'Enema Of The State' is an album which showcases Blink 182 at their most care free, a band for whom producing music was all about the fun that could be had whilst performing. First track 'Dumpweed' is an excellent introduction to the album which provides ultimate proof of that fact as the band blast through a sensational two and a half minutes of fantastic fun. Never before has an album introduction had such a profound effect on me as here; from the moment I very first heard this album I knew that this would ultimately become one of my favourites of all time. It was back in 2000 that I first heard this album, and whilst others have come and gone as 'favourites' of mine, the 'Enema Of The State' album from Blink 182 has remained so and still impresses me as much now as it did back then when I very first heard it.

As the band progress through the twelve tracks of this album, at no stage does the music ever become tiresome and at all times you remain fully enthralled and enthused by the fiendishly fun Pop Punk music that is on display. For me it is 'What's My Age Again' that is the albums finest track. With an excellent opening which forefronts both bass and guitar, the track develops into one of the finest Pop Punk tracks ever recorded; a timeless track which for me is the best that the band ever recorded. Although I enjoyed much of the bands output from the five studio albums released, for me there is no track in their back catalogue that comes anywhere close to rivalling 'What's My Age Again' in terms of quality. With an epic chorus and a massively catchy tune, this track looms large as a huge heavyweight of the Pop Punk genre.

Whilst 'What's My Age Again' is without a doubt my favourite track of the album, there is no denying the quality of which the rest of the album possesses also. Every track is a highlight here, an album absolutely packed full of consistently quality tracks. I feel that the title of 'The Party Song' sums up perfectly the 'Enema Of The State' album, a recording containing party anthems a plenty. The track itself is excellent and possesses all the grin a second entertainment you would expect of the band and more. It would be difficult I feel to listen to the album without raising a smile, one which has me grinning like a 'Cheshire Cat' to reference the title of another of the bands albums.

Closing tracks can make or break an album for me. Even if the rest of the album has impressed, a poorly chosen final track can for me ruin everything that has come before. 'Anthem' is the track which was given the honour of closing the 'Enema Of The State' album, a track which I feel is the ultimate in closing tracks. To me, 'Dumpweed' is perhaps the greatest ever opening to an album, and 'Anthem' likewise the best ever closing track. 'Anthem' brings things to a close supremely, a track which winds proceedings down perfectly whilst at the same time leaving you longing and craving for more. There is just something about 'Anthem' which makes it the perfect closer in my eyes, a track of which I find the listening experience utterly captivating as the band flow through an excellent vocal display laced over frantic drum beats, sensational guitar riffs, and brilliant bass lines.

'Enema Of The State' is without doubt the finest works of Blink 182, an album which will perhaps forever more remain as the most successful album of the bands career given the nature of their 'indefinite hiatus'. With each of the twelve tracks on display impressing and proving Blink 182 to have been experts of their field; 'Enema Of The State' is an album which is well worth a listen regardless of your musical preference. The album ignites from the word go and excellence prevails from start to finish as Blink 182 fly through thirty five minutes of absolute aural ecstasy. Not for a moment are the band ever in danger of failing to impress on this album as each and every track is wonderfully written and immaculately executed. 'Enema Of The State' is essential listening as far as I'm concerned and is an album which should most definitely be present in everyone's music collection.