Fat Mike and his Jew-punk wrecking crew
are back.
The advertising for this album hasn't
been overwhelming by any means. It was available to order only a
matter of days after I even realised it was on its way. Some may
blame NOFX for being lazy and resting on their laurels, but if you
have such a solid fan base and such a lengthy and prosperous career
as these guys, I think we can can forgive them.
The output has been mixed since the
glory days, but admittedly there has been a lot of it and they have
been slaving away at it for longer than most. Come on, Coaster
without the opening track may as well be a fucking coaster (I think
that was intended!), even though it would remind me of the bitter
disappointment every time I have my morning brew, not a good start to
the day.
One thing missing on this record – a
dub/reggae song. Some of the established live classics have been
'Kill All The White Man' and 'Eat The Meek', so where's our mellow
tune eh? These songs are so much better than the cheesy acoustic song
that so many bands feel they must include on an album to show depth
or maturity. These guys do it because its fun!
The clever and inspired song writing is
still there, as well as the comedy tunes. The last song which was
previously released 'Xmas Has Been X'ed' always makes me chuckle. A
song about the cancellation of Christmas and celebrating Hanukkah
instead coming from these chaps has got to be good. '72 Hookers' is
funny, like all good songs about selling your body for money are, but
the message pleading for peace prevails and makes it a success.
'Ronnie & Mags' – with the flip it on its head chorus and
political nostalgia never fails to entertain.
OK OK, some of it is punk-by-numbers
(see 'Secret Society'). You can't deny Self-Entitled has the
pubescent whine which made us fall in love with this quirky band way
back in the early 90's. The perky polished punk, with the subtle
melancholy that was established on Punk In Drublic remains
gloriously accessible. However without the dire song writing
on some of the other more recent efforts (*cough* Coaster)
it might not seem so amazing as we first thought.
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