NOFX
First Ditch Effort
Fat Wreck Chords (2016)
It’s probably been a decade (maybe two) since anyone reviewed a NOFX record without starting out by talking about “knowing what to expect.” The band has their sound down pat and I’ll spare them the skatepunk adjectives except to say that new LP First Ditch Effort doesn’t change it up. The only shift here, if it is one, is that … Read more
NOFX
Self Entitled
Fat Wreck Chords (2012)
NOFX haven’t mixed it up a whole lot over the years. In twelve albums they’ve remained consistently inconsistent, with a few records that have risen above the rest. Generally, they have a few real standouts on each release, paired with a few stinkers. After skipping Coaster completely, Self Entitled seemed like it was time to check back in to see … Read more
NOFX
Single Album
Fat Wreck Chords (2021)
This record is honestly kind of painful. It’s meant to be, too. It’s about depression, drug abuse, death and all kinds of dark material. And it works on that level, but it’s also painful because the NOFX sound puts Fat Mike’s vocals so front-and-center in everything: It’s like watching somebody standing under a spotlight while hitting rock bottom. The lyrics … Read more
NOFX
They've Actually Gotten Worse Live!
Fat Wreck Chords (2007)
"Ever done something you regret while drunk like...recorded a live album?" the press sheet states. As NOFX open the CD and Fat Mike announces, "Oh, shit, we have to go to work," the tone is set. Within five minutes, the president has been insulted and you're told that, if you believe in God, you're wrong. There are also a number … Read more
NOFX
Wolves in Wolves' Clothing
Fat Wreck Chords (2006)
At this point, NOFX know where they stand in their musical career. That much is obvious not only when you see them play a show, but also when you listen to the final track of Wolves In Wolves' Clothing, "60% (Reprise)". There's no dancing around the subject with ambiguous or pretentious lyrics that make you think "Yeah, I'm pretty sure … Read more
NOFX
Wolves in Wolves' Clothing
Fat Wreck Chords (2006)
So here we are, NOFX's 10th studio album, 3 years on from 2003's War On Errorism. Bush got re-elected, so anyone not expecting more political-themed punk rock is probably in need of urgent brain surgery. At 44 minutes, with 18 official tracks, it's one of the band's longest releases to date and could probably benefit from being trimmed of its … Read more
None More Black
File Under Black
Fat Wreck Chords (2003)
Somewhere around the turn of the millennium, Fat Wreck Chords decided it wanted to be the best punk label around. File Under Black, None More Black's first full length offering is a perfect example of how Fat has come to be just that. The band is fronted by longtime scenester, Jason Shevchuk, front man of the legendary melodic hardcore band … Read more
None More Black
This is Satire
Fat Wreck Chords (2006)
Have you ever heard a record for the first time and immediately received a feeling of comfort that you would normally get from an album you've been listening to for years? Every so often, you find an album that just "clicks" with you so well that you cannot deny it, and you know you will still be listening to it … Read more
Old Man Markley
Guts N' Teeth
Fat Wreck Chords (2011)
Fat hasn’t been releasing many new bands lately. Thus, when they do expand the roster for a debut, it draws some attention. Guts n’Teeth comes from the eight-piece California band Old Man Markley, named after washboard player Ryan Markley who, in truth, is quite young. Other members have been/are in bands such as Youth Brigade and Angel City Outcasts. But … Read more
Only Crime
Virulence
Fat Wreck Chords (2007)
Supergroups are a curious entity, as they often appear to be incredible in the idea stage, but the expectations often exceed the execution. Fortunately, the classic phrase "too many chefs in the kitchen" does not apply to Only Crime - whose talents have been involved with acts such as Bane, Converge, Descendents, Good Riddance, and Gwar - because they are … Read more
Pears
Green Star
Fat Wreck Chords (2016)
It’s been a while since I thought about the Fat Wreck effect, where a band signs to the San Francisco label and then releases a notably “Fat styled” album. Propagandhi’s How to Clean Everything is the biggest example to come to mind, but it was a thing people talked about in the ‘90s. You know, besides talking about baggy pants, … Read more
Propagandhi
Potemkin City Limits
Fat Wreck Chords (2005)
Propaghandi has always held a place in many people's hearts for their impassioned and political stances that they take on their record, and I always respected that political basis of much of their lyrical content and overall message of the band. Musically though, they had always been missing something for me. Every genre of punk and or hardcore has had … Read more
Propagandhi
Potemkin City Limits
Fat Wreck Chords (2005)
The time is 7 a.m. as I pace frantically across empty parking spaces towards a vacant Tower Records. I know I'm three hours early, but after waiting patiently for four long years my heart is about to catharsis all over the asphalt if my ears aren't satisfied ASAP. All week I had been ranting on about the new Propagandhi album … Read more
Real McKenzies
Off the Leash
Fat Wreck Chords (2008)
What the world needs is more Dropkick Murphys, or perhaps something just different enough to spawn a new sub-subgenre. Unlike Dropkick Murphys, The Real McKenzies hail from Vancouver and parlay their Scottish heritage into a Celtic-fused melodic punk. Off the Leash is their fourth full-length release and second on Fat Wreck. If you can make it past the terrible cover … Read more
Rise Against
Revolutions Per Minute
Fat Wreck Chords (2003)
Hmm.. I'm sure this band have a large enough fanbase, I really am. I bet there's a ton of kids that love Rise Against (should that be xRxAx maybe?) and will refuse to hear anything bad about their music. However, as an outsider, I'm afraid I'm going to upset hardcore fans. I listened to this record a lot. I did … Read more
Smoke or Fire
This Sinking Ship
Fat Wreck Chords (2007)
Sophomore slumps are a bitch. Smoke or Fire's debut full-length, Above the City, was a nice, short, potent shot of melodic punk with introspective lyrics that felt honest and kept it simple, but This Sinking Ship sounds more like the band is trying too hard to prove that they're relevant. This Sinking Ship is overflowing with political rants, tales of … Read more
Star Fucking Hipsters
Until We're Dead
Fat Wreck Chords (2008)
Let's face it: a lot of punk rock comes across through the singer's voice, and that voice often isn't pretty: Johnny Rotten's snottiness, Tim Armstrong's slurs, Jello Biafra's warble. When it comes to the Star Fucking Hipsters' Sturgeon (Choking Victim, Leftover Crack), his voice is easily identifiable and his work brings associations of shock appeal and overhanded lefty politics. Star … Read more
Strike Anywhere
Dead FM
Fat Wreck Chords (2006)
The return of Strike Anywhere seems to be met with mixed emotions by a lot of people, and that's tough for me to understand. While I enjoyed their last proper effort, 2003's Exit English, I know it wasn't their strongest release, but I never expected to hear people claiming this band was past their prime. Past their prime? Already? Yes, … Read more
