I’ve gotta admit, I have been sort of going off all this punk stuff recently. Until just a few days ago that is, when I unearthed a load of old cassettes I had hidden away in an old shoebox. I was given copies of all but the most recent of NOFX’s releases, and ‘Punk In Drublic’ was one of them.
The greatest punk album ever!! Those are the only things a punk rocker needs to know about NOFX's seventh release (from 1994). This album has so many classic numbers on it I wouldn't know where to begin, except from the start.
Over 15 years of playing underground punk, NOFX have released ten albums in their career. The best by far is ‘Punk in Drublic’ (catch title huh!!).
I'm going to review each song separately, because each song has a different attraction (unlike a lot of punk albums).
I appreciate that a lot of CIAOers aren’t going to enjoy this one bit (so I apologise for dragging you here). I’ll try and keep it short so you can all get back to doing whatever you were doing.
LINOLEUM: First track on the album. Fast paced, classic song. Fat Mike's lyrics in this song are superb (he’s got a pretty unique voice to go with them too). Anyone denying this as "bad ass" will be shot (not literally obviously, or maybe just with one of those potato guns or something). I’m not 100% sure whether
it really makes a very good first song though. Would probably be better off somewhere mid-album.
LEAVE IT ALONE: NOFX's hit. Well sorta-hit. NOFX never releases videos on MTV nor do they want to be played on commercial radio stations. This is the song Epitaph Records filmed a video for, but NOFX didn't sign it over to MTV. I think that you can actually see it at www.epitaph.com though, so it might be worth a look. They also released it on their video, ‘Ten Years Of F*ck*n Up’.
DIG: Immediately proceeding ‘Leave It Alone’, ‘Dig’ is perhaps one of the low points on the album. For some reason though it just seems to sound just so right coming after ‘Leave It Alone’, that it doesn’t seem to matter.
THE CAUSE: Another classic song (there’s a lot of those on this album)!!! Pure punk rock by the Mohawk full (by the way. Contrary to popular belief, not many (none that I know actually), have Mohawks). ‘The Cause’ is all about what we punkers stand for, so just leave us alone.
DON'T CALL ME WHITE: NOFX's other sorta-hit. I'm not sure if they ever filmed this one but they did release a single with the track ‘Drugs are Good’ (they surely have some interesting titles) on the flip. Above average song (like all the others).
MY HEART IS YEARNING: Best joke song NOFX has ever done (and they’ve done a lot!!). This one is mostly instrumental, Caribbean style, with hilarious lyrics. I don't wanna give it away, there is a bit of a wait before the words kick in, but when they do, I promise you’ll be laughing.
PERFECT GOVERNMENT: Yet another classic punk song! "How did the cat get so fat?" I don't know, ask Fat Mike. They didn’t write this one themselves. It was written for them by a friend as a present (nice huh!!). It was originally acoustic (which I’m sure would have been good too), but NOFX turned it into something even more cool.
THE BREWS: Now before I talk about this Jewish-Nazi song, I better let you know that this is the definitive NOFX song. The one that stands out high above all the rest. ‘The Brews’ is the greatest punk song in the history of mankind. Ask anyone who likes NOFX.
THE QUASS/DYING DEGREE: "Dying Degree" is your average (Remember, the average NOFX song is usually about 2 times better than any other punk songs) NOFX song. After the impact of how totally awesome "The Brews" is, you need something to calm you down.
FLEAS: Another average NOFX song (remember what that means!!).
LORI MYERS: Here's a big classic song. It's more of a story-song, but it has some really tight lyrics and really kick ass music.
JEFF WEARS BIRKENSTOCKS: This song is unbelievably great in it's own special way. There seems to be a big debate between punkers between this song and The Brews for best NOFX song. Don't know why. It's funny I thought, but not as great as ‘The Brews’.
PUNK GUY: Just a shade over a minute, this song relates to all the most famous punk rockers. Sometimes I think this song was written for me. But then I laugh and dye my hair blue (not really).
HAPPY GUY: Worst song on the record, but it’s still a good one. Every album has to have its letdown.
REEKO: Kick ass!! Half slow-acoustic ska-type riff and the other half power punk. Reeko kicks more ass then we'll ever know because we can't relate to how cool this song really is. Most people diss it, but there are a few who see the beauty in it – like me!!
SCAVENGER TYPE: Best chill song in the world. I love the lyrics to this song. I think I've rambled long enough anyway. Acoustic all of the way through. It’s good to come out of such a high-energy album with a bit of a calmer feeling.
I know I’ve highlighted a number of kick ass tracks there, but this album really has that many.
I haven't gone in to as much detail as I could have. I didn't want to have repeat myself over and over, telling you about all of the cool guitar riffs etc. The truth is that NOFX are probably the most original band around at this time. They play stuff that nobody else does. They do an excellent job of it, and this album is one of many classics that they have to their name.
I mention their originality, and his is what makes them so good. To be honest, Fat Mikes voice is a little off putting sometimes, and the tracks where the other band members get a go are often my favourites. They do this on a few occasions on this album, mostly in short sections, covering a lot of the songs.
A lot of their songs involve a story being told. Thats part of the reason for me liking this kind of music so much. I know a lot of people won't agree, but some of the modern popular stuff, is just nothing compared to this. I really don't care much for songs which just have a single line being repeated over and over again.
They released their first album, way back in 1987. Their most recent album (Pump Up The Valuum) was release last year (2000), so for a band who rely so little on airplay and expensive promotion, they're really doing pretty well for themselves, havin' a lot of fun. Thats what I think music should be about, HAVING FUN.
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NoFx are the best punk outfit around at the moment - War on Errorism is their best of all and its the newest album. You can't fight staying power people. But you're wrong about "Happy Guy" I think it is very well written lyrically. Seen them twice now live. They suck Live!
piffles 16.10.2002 17:38
Ok so I'm commenting on a two year old op. but hey. I must say I'm impressed I've found a NOFX fan on Ciao. They are absolutely amazing. Phil :)
weedy818 11.08.2001 02:47
WOW there's people that haven't heard of NOFX out there? shame on you, i am like that guy further down and have always meant to get a NOFX album but never have got round to it. However, for different reasons, WHICH ONE DO I GET FIRST?!?!? Would you recommend this one as a first buy?
Jan 30th, 2001
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