NOFX - First Ditch Effort (2016) Review
The new NOFX CD/record whatever the fuck you've bought it on, is the 13th release (so satanic) by these Southern Californian punk rock legends. And I for one, think it's fucking killer.
But then again, I am biased. NOFX were 'that' band for me. They opened up the door to punk rock and I never walked back out. For those who are oblivious to this band, NOFX started out as an endearingly cruddy Mystic Records style punk band, that then started to slightly crossover, but then (in an unexpected turn) became the household name for 90s melodic punk rock. Okay, maybe 'household' isn't the best term.....Green Day or The Offspring would be more accurate in that case. But still, NOFX were (and i'd argue, are) a defining 90s/00s punk band.
As a fan, the release of their book The Hepatitis Bathtub and other Stories got me absolutly stoked. Real good read by the way. But when this record was announced for a 7th October release, I was seriously. fucking. excited. The first teaser of the new material was Six Years On Dope, which was released as a lyric video. And i've got to admit...i wasn't too keen at first (Melvin's 'yeeeeah' seems real out of place). But after another few listens I couldn't get the song out of my head. In similar fashion, I Don't Like Me Anymore confused me on first listen. But after another listen, it was apparent this album
was going to be fucking awesome...if a bit of a grower. Finally, Oxy Moronic came out with a sparkly music video...and surprise, surprise, I didn't think much to it. It sounded a bit too new-wavey, a bit limp wristed. But, and I know you know where this is going, I ended up really liking it. Not as good as the previously released tracks, but still good ol' NOFX.
But then again, I am biased. NOFX were 'that' band for me. They opened up the door to punk rock and I never walked back out. For those who are oblivious to this band, NOFX started out as an endearingly cruddy Mystic Records style punk band, that then started to slightly crossover, but then (in an unexpected turn) became the household name for 90s melodic punk rock. Okay, maybe 'household' isn't the best term.....Green Day or The Offspring would be more accurate in that case. But still, NOFX were (and i'd argue, are) a defining 90s/00s punk band.
As a fan, the release of their book The Hepatitis Bathtub and other Stories got me absolutly stoked. Real good read by the way. But when this record was announced for a 7th October release, I was seriously. fucking. excited. The first teaser of the new material was Six Years On Dope, which was released as a lyric video. And i've got to admit...i wasn't too keen at first (Melvin's 'yeeeeah' seems real out of place). But after another few listens I couldn't get the song out of my head. In similar fashion, I Don't Like Me Anymore confused me on first listen. But after another listen, it was apparent this album
was going to be fucking awesome...if a bit of a grower. Finally, Oxy Moronic came out with a sparkly music video...and surprise, surprise, I didn't think much to it. It sounded a bit too new-wavey, a bit limp wristed. But, and I know you know where this is going, I ended up really liking it. Not as good as the previously released tracks, but still good ol' NOFX.
Now, I know this isn't very informative, so i'll just get into it. This record is a bit of a grower,
but that's because it's noticeably more diverse than previous efforts. California Drought, I'm A Transvest-Lite, Ditch Effort, It Ain't Lonely At The Bottom, are classic NOFX. Short, funny, catchy. If you're a fan, you'll love these tracks. The real difference comes with tracks like I Don't Like Me Anymore and I'm So Sorry, Tony. Straight off the bat, just the titles indicate a new lyrical (and musical) direction. Lyrically, Fat Mike has really opened up. I loved My Orphan Year from Coaster, and these tracks in particular show some bittersweet, sadly funny, and truly hard-hitting lyrics. In order to do the words justice, the music needs to take a more serious tone. In comes the pianos, and some chord progressions and melodies that you wouldn't initially connect with NOFX.
I'm So Sorry, Tony is possibly the best representation of what im getting at:
"Sometimes on weekends, when our kids hang out together, Kiera tells Darla that her dad's songs are better. And I think she's sad, cause tomorrow she hopes her dad, will be coming home, cause he told her that 3 years ago on the phone"
"All the endless nights we had, the 20 years of laughs, I've looked, but I can't find any photographs
Of us, because it's weird to take photos with your best friends, Cause you don't think that you'll never see them again"
"All the endless nights we had, the 20 years of laughs, I've looked, but I can't find any photographs
Of us, because it's weird to take photos with your best friends, Cause you don't think that you'll never see them again"
However, there are a couple tracks here that initially threw me off on first listen.
1: Happy Father's Day
The intro is sorta Texas Is The Reason-ish, not NOFX'y at all. But when the actual song hits, it's a hardcore fueled melodic punk track with venomous lyrics directed at Fat Mike's father. Now that i've listened to it a lot, I really like that intro.
"Fuck you Paul Burkett, I'm glad that you are dead. You weren't a father or a parent, more of an acquaintance than a friend"
2: Sid and Nancy
2: Sid and Nancy
Very different to the 7" version (Same goes for Generation Z) This track is so classic NOFX...until
around a minute and a half in where some lame 'post-rock' style guitar begins. Personally, if you're not Godspeed You, Black Emperor, put away your fucking delay and reverb pedals. Seriously, Hefe could have ripped out some smooth jazzy licks...but we get this instead. Good job the song is so fucking catchy.
Like many of NOFX's post millennium albums, they ingeniously mix pop melodies, hardcore thrashing, snotty punk rock attitude, and fantastic song writing, all tied together with truly great musicianship. And yes, i did just say that.
I don't like rating records because it's always so subject to changing. But fuck it, 10/10. It's a grower. But it's well worth it for fans. If you never liked NOFX this record probably wont convert you. But if you want to take a punt on a beautifully open and heartfelt melodic punk record, get this.
Highlights:
It's Not Lonely At The Bottom, I Don't Like Me Anymore, I'm A Transvest-lite,
I'm So Sorry Tony, Six Years On Dope, Sid and Nancy, Happy Father's Day
Fuck it. They're all highlights. Get this fucking album, you rats.
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