BLINK-182
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
It's appropriate that the new CD by Blink-182 is self-titled, because the band has virtually re-invented themselves.
Steering away from the silly pop/punk that put their logo on the t-shirts of teenagers around the world, Blink-182's "Blink-182" is a major step ahead for the band -- a surprising show of growth from a band you probably thought would never grow.
Lyrically, "Blink-182" is light years ahead of the band's previous works. The songs contained herein seem to have come directly from the heart and their honesty and open emotion is startling. This from a band who once recorded a song entitled "When You Fucked Grandpa"?
Musically, the band stretches their songwriting and performance skills considerably. For the most part, "Blink-182" avoids the raw, simple pop/punk format with songs that range from solid rockers ("Stockholm Syndrome," "Easy Target") to experimental rock tracks a la David Bowie ("Down") to alternative rock ditties that bring to mind the work of The Cars ("All of This"). Throughout, the band stretches their musical muscle, adding such instruments as pianos and stand up basses to enhance their sound.
Overall, a surprisingly mature and heartfelt album from a band whose talent was always apparent but seemed to be wasted on less than stellar material. "Blink-182," the CD, is Blink-182, the band, at their best.
For more information, check out http://www.blink182.com.
"Take
Off Your Pants and Jacket" (MCA; 2001)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
More lively pop-punk from the new masters of the genre. Slick, commercial, peppy, sometimes funny, sometimes just annoying. Nothing new or original here but it's entertaining enough, if you don't mind putting up with the band's cheap dirty jokes, stupid use of foul language and just plain shallow attitude. Yeah, occasionally some brilliance sneaks in, but that's not really what Blink-182 is about. One wonders whether they throw in the dirty jokes and profanity just to give their squeaky clean musical sound a little roughness.
I'll tell you this much: It ain't the Ramones!
For more information, check out http://www.blink182.com.
"The Mark, Tom and
Travis Show (The Enema Strikes Back!)" (MCA; 2000)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
If it was Blink-182's poppy style of punk that made them stars, it's that same poppy style of punk that will be their undoing. "The Mark, Tom and Travis Show" is a live collection of Blink-182 tunes that are fast, peppy and poppy - but that have virtually no edge whatsoever. Most of the songs on this CD sound like the Monkees played at 45 rpm. Even the screaming audience sounds like the audience from an old Beatles show or a recent Britney Spears concert.
Sure, the songs here are liberally sprinkled with profanities, but too often they're just stupid. "I know a guy; he has sex with his sister..." Yeah, that's funny. Especially the 33rd time.
As far as the music, it's too slick, and way too radio-friendly. It's like the "pop" ate the "punk." And the between-song banter is either intentionally stupid and scatological or embarrassingly juvenile. (I mean, just how funny is an electronically-enhanced voice that's supposed to be Satan asking "I'm gonna get a boner. Do you mind if I get a boner, kids?"). Come to think of it, the between-song banter sounds like The Monkees if they'd been on today's cable rather than 60's network television. And, as a bonus, you get 29 bonus tracks of that banter following the CD's 20th track. Swell!
I'll stick with the band's studio albums myself. "The Mark, Tom and Travis Show" is too glossy and asinine for me.
For more information, please visit http://www.blink182.com, http://www.loserkids.com, http://www.yride.com or http://www.famousas.com. These are what the CD identifies as "Blink-182 affiliated websites."
"Enema of the State"
(MCA; 1999)
Reviewed by Paco
Blink 182's latest CD "Enema of the State" is a collection of 12 great pop punk tunes. There's no surprises on this disc. You all know what Blink 182 sounds like. It's some very cool, fast punk songs with good lyrics, too.
The current hit from the CD (you'll hear plenty more in the coming months, I'm sure). "What's My Age Again" is a great sample of the whole disc. The lyrics are about relationships and growing up and the music is melodic, fast and kind of punky. It's Green Day, only different. It's not offensive, but it is intelligent and honest. It's great summertime music.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
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