NOFX's fourth album houses 17 lean and fast tracks crammed with fiery playing ("Dying Degree," "Leave It Alone"), self-deprecating laughs ("Punk Guy," "The Brews") and sharp commentary (Perfect Government, Lori Meyers). --... more »Jeff Bateman« less
NOFX's fourth album houses 17 lean and fast tracks crammed with fiery playing ("Dying Degree," "Leave It Alone"), self-deprecating laughs ("Punk Guy," "The Brews") and sharp commentary (Perfect Government, Lori Meyers). --Jeff Bateman
"This is one of the best punk CDs I've heard, probably ever. NOFX's catchy tunes with their clever lyrics really show on this album. Their topics deviate a bit, especially if you've listened to thier other CDs, which have frequent references to their favorite topics, booze and lesbians. They range from being political (Perfect Government, Dying Degree) to party anthems (The Brews, Don't Call Me White) to their love lusts (Lori Myers) to some downright craziness (Jeff Wears Birkenstocks, Punk Guy & Happy Guy). Every track is awesome. This is one of those few albums you can listen to as a whole from the first track to the last track without pressing the skip button. The best songs on here are The Brews, The Cause, Linoleum, and Don't Call Me White. If you've never heard a NOFX album, I suggest you check this out first, then get White Trash, Two Heebs and a Bean, and Pump Up The Valuum, and the other NOFX albums."
100% Pure Punk Perfection
Chadwick | somewhere in PA | 02/07/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is it. This is the CD that started NOFX's rise in 1994 to become the most beloved punk band in history. Fueled by the success of earlier Epitaph releases that year (Rancid's Let's Go, Offspring's Smash), Fat Mike and co. were heavily inspired to write a damn good record and record it in a damn good fashion. This record has sold half a million copies without ever being introduced to the mainstream, which is more than a successful accomplishment in the indie scene. Getting to the song reviews:Linoleum: A great start to a near-flawless record. The opening guitar riff sets the stage for 40 minutes of delicious ear candy.
Leave it Alone: If you've ever heard a NOFX song, this is probably it. They actually made a video for this to send to MTV, but after the network saw some of their previous videos, they decided not to take any chances. This is the last music video NOFX has made.
Dig: Begins with a nice smooth transition from Leave it Alone, featuring the same socio-political lyrics we've all come to know and love. A perfectly timed ska break makes its way into the middle of this song, then goes back into pure punk for the end.
The Cause: Definitely a Libertarian message here. Being a Libertarian myself, this is one of my favorites.
Don't Call Me White: Yeah, this one just flat out rocks.
My Heart is Yearning: A sort of interlude with some opera-type singing by the illustrious El Hefe.
Perfect Government: Here's a cover song, originally written by Mark Curry (no, not Mr. Cooper). I've always wondered myself: How DID the cat get so fat?
The Brews: A great party song with Jewish references and some Jewish people singing the chorus. Perfect for your next bar mitzvah.
The Quass: Just a little instrumental ditty that leads into...
Dying Degree: See review for Don't Call Me White.
Fleas: A song about being a cleanly boy and not sleeping with dogs. Do as your parents say, not as they do, ya know...
Lori Meyers: A song about a female punker basically. Fat Mike does a mean impression of a female punk vocalist at the end.
Jeff Wears Birkenstocks: Poking fun at Jeff from Epitaph. If I knew Jeff, I'd probably make fun of him too.
Punk Guy: This one has pure punk stamped all over it. Includes references to GG Allin and Ian McKaye
Happy Guy: A song about a happy guy.
Reeko: Starts off as a slow ska-type number, then breaks into a million-mile an hour assault at the end.
Scavenger Type: An all-acoustic song by NOFX? What's wrong with this picture? Absolutely nothing. A slow tune much in the style of folk music.At the very end of the CD it goes into El Hefe doing a bunch of cartoon character impressions saying "Well, he's more punk than me!" No, Hefe, they're not more punk than you. NOBODY is more punk than you. NO ONE. This CD gets my vote for best punk CD of the '90s. Get this as soon as you cash your next paycheck. It's worth every lint-covered penny in your pocket."
THIS CD MAKES ME HAPPY!!!
MotherPhuckingPunkRocka | 02/07/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is my personal favorite NOFX CD. I can listen to every track without the inclination to skip one....even My Heart Is Yearning. It is the first NOFX CD I ever bought and Im glad I did. Its still one of my favorite CDs ever. Here's a big fat review of it:
Linoleum: The classic NOFX song. Best on the whole album.
Leave It Alone: Short lil ditty about conformity. I like it but the message has been said a lot before.
Dig: Another favorite. I'm not sure what its about but its awesum!! Has a cool ska break in the middle.
The Cause: Nice short song about fighting for something you believe in.
Don't Call Me White: This song has started to skip on my copy of the CD and it REALLY SUCKS!! This song is about racism and has some really well thought out lyrics. I miss it.
My Heart Is Yearning: Weird but still cool song. Very reggae sounding. El Hefe sings this one. I think its about STDs.
A Perfect Government: Starts slow then goes into an attack of politcal awareness. Some of the best lyrisc I've ever seen. Mark Curry wrote this..not NOFX.
The Brews: A JEWISH OI SONG!!! Haha its awesum.
The Quass: A cool fast instrumental that goes into....
Dying Degree: The darkest song on the album but still very catchy. Its about being broke.
Fleas: About the hypocrisy of adults. Way too catchy tho.
Lori Meyers: Song about this girl that Fat Mike "did stuff" with when he was a kid. This chick from the Muffs (I think) sings one of the verses.
Jeff Wears Birkenstocks: Fun song about this hippie guy.
Punk Guy: Song about this guy who's a punk and does punk things. Lots of references.
The Happy Guy: Song about this guy and his religion I think.
Reeko: Slow relaxed ska song....then revvs up into a fast paced punk tune.
Scavenger Type: WOW NOFX DID AN ACOUSTIC!! I think its about homelessness."
Easily the best NOFX album!
Bob Evans | USA | 11/17/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album from begining to end is a solid, hard rockin', album with a bite. Starting with "Linoleum", the album kicks into high gear, and doesn't let up.
The best songs on this album are Linoleum, Don't call me White, The Brews, Lori Meyers, and Punk Guy. ALl the songs are good though, there isn't any filler.
This is my favorite NOFX album following "So Long and Thanks for All The Shoes" and "45 or 46 Songs That Weren't Good Enough to go on our Other Records". If you like this album, I'd suggest checking those out as well.
I recommend this album."
NOFX' best
Michiel Heinicke | Amsterdam, NL | 06/15/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is NOFX best album. Period. All songs are catchy, fast and funny. NOFX were still writing quality songs here.
Starting with the famous Linoleum, blasting through all sorts of punk songs, poppunk, hardcore, oi (the brews), it IS an album filled with diversity unlike their later releases after "So Long..." Reeko is THE song to play at parties telling the DJ it's a "relaxed reggae song". And just wait how everyone reacts halfway thru the song when the hardcore part blasts loose.
Its the perfect punk album. I consider White trash, Punk in Drublic and Heavy Petting Zoo as THE NOFX trilogy. Just like Suffer No Control and Against the grain did for Bad Religion.
All other albums are actually not good, and the last one is downright TERRIBLE."