NOFX - First Ditch Effort (2016) Review

 

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.

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"

  

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

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.

The Misfats EP

The Misfats are/were a hilarious 'fat themed' Misfits tribute act. As you can guess, all member are 'phat'...as well as 'fat'. Just looking at the song titles puts me into giggles. Some great ones are: 'Hungry Moments', 'Don't Open That Mayonaise', and 'Mommy, Can I Go Out & Grill Tonight?'

Sound wise, theres not much to say. You like the Misfits? you like sloppy 'live' recordings?, do you have a sense of humor? Plus, i defy anyone not to find 'Butter' anything less than hilarious!

Direct Link:

http://share.myflare.com/kBCktj

Dr. Drunk Ruins It For Everyone Blog:

http://drdrunkruinsitforeveryone.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/the-misfats-misfits-tribute-ep.html

Official Website

http://www.misfats.com/home.php

+++Waddle Among Us+++

FUCK! (It's Pronounced SHIT!)

FUCK! are an eloquently named punk band/project from Edinburgh, Scotland, being a side-project of the Murderburgers.

Musically, expect hardcore like speed but with more traditional 'punk rock' chord progressions and a good use of melody. Usually new hardcore bands don't really strike me as that interesting unless they are doing something different or are notably extreme, FUCK! offers a melodic edge that even fans of pop punk may be interested in. One thing that i find really cool is that all the songs are remarkably short; their first EP is over in no more than 4 minutes and their second clocking in at around 7 minutes.

Now, talking about each song is probably a stupid idea since they are over in a matter of seconds.
So I'll just let some song titles do the talking for me.

Tuesday Morning Staring Match With A  Dog
A Sorry Excuse For A Song Hiding Behind A Long And Witty Title
My Therapist Looks Like A Wizard
It's Not The Size Of Your Penis That Matters, It's How Big It Is

Both EP's are officially 'free' (optional to donate) to download from their Bandcamp page.
http://itspronouncedshityouidiot.bandcamp.com/album/its-pronounced-shit-ep

Sloppy Seconds - Destroyed

Let’s start this off with a bang, Sloppy Seconds’ ‘Destroyed’!

First of all, the record cover. Awesome. For those who don’t get it, the title and cover are a reference to a little known band called KISS and their record ‘Destroyer’. Anyone? Anyone at all?

Musically, it’s not comparable to KISS at all. This is just straight punk rock, Ramones style with some rockabilly lead lines chucked in. If any of you like 77’ style punk or the melodic hardcore bands such as The Descendents, The Adolescents, The Faction, etc I would highly suggest you get on this.

Kicking off the record is the provocatively titled ‘I Don’t Wanna Be A Homosexual’ which opens with a funny sound clip, I have no idea what it’s from. After the first minute it cranks into a typical melodic punk track with great, hilarious lyrics and rockabilly ‘clean’ lead guitar lines sprinkled throughout. If this sounds weird to you, trust me, it works. The rhythm guitar plays memorable chord progressions and riffs, all played at a typical punk speed. This is a definite highlight of the record.

‘Come Back Traci’ is up next which is about the 80’s pornstar Traci Lords, as expected; the lyrics are hilarious and clever in a stupid way. Does that make sense? A much shorter track than the opener, Come Back Traci rips through in punk rock fashion with a great rock n roll style solo in the middle. Easily one of my favourites from this record.

‘Take You Home’ is the shortest track on the record at 1.24 minutes and is pretty much a punk rock cliché in the best way possible. Catchy verse, rock n roll solo, key change and chorus with lead lines till end. Great stuff.

‘Black Roses’ has a decidedly more Glam Rock guitar rhythm during the verses and a fantastic catchy straight up punky chorus. Great lyrics and a decent punk tune.

‘Runnin From The CIA’ is very Ramones-y going through the cliché punk rock chord progression with some nice twiddly rock n roll leads. Towards the end there is a sound clip of which, yet again, I can’t tell you what it’s from. Great goofy lyrics about being hounded by the CIA.

‘The Horror of Party Beach’ is a personal favourite of mine, horror lyrics mixed with beach party retardo lyrics.  Super catchy song with surfy guitar leads sprinkled throughout. Another sound clip exits the song which leads us to another favourite of mine…

‘Blackmail’ has the best lyrics of the whole record. Just a totally retarded, goofy punk rock tune about blackmailing people in different situations. If there is one track you should listen to on this record it is this, just funny as hell. Musically it’s pretty much standard punk rock, which is reason alone to listen to it!

‘So Fucked Up’ is my least favourite song on the record. I’m not one for lyrics about being proud of or glorifying drinking, taking drugs, etc unless it’s done in a comical way. Sloppy Seconds pull it off well enough in all their goony glory. Like the rest of the songs here, it’s just a straight punk rock tune with nice solos.

‘Germany’ took a couple listens to get into but now it’s one of my favourites. It’s about getting cheated on by your girlfriend, splitting-up, and then going to Germany to shag sluts. Great stuff! As expected from these guys, it’s another punk rock tune with great lyrics.

‘Janie Is A Nazi’ is another one of my favourites. It’s a goofy track about a girl who becomes a Nazi to the displeasure of our singer. Obviously hilarious lyrics and the inclusion of cowbell and a one note solo is nice! Just catchy as hell, get on it, NOW.

‘I Want ‘Em Dead’ opens up with another sound clip which lasts for a minute until we are hit with a great riff and then a doo-wop chord progression. Funny lyrics about killing random people, what’s not to like about it? An awesome doo-wop style bridge comes in and we end with the chorus. Super catchy verses and chorus’ as expected from these goofballs, another one of my favourites. How many times have I said that now?

‘If I Had A Woman’ is a decent track, pretty much mid-paced punk rock with relatively catchy verses and chorus’. As far as I can tell it’s a song about wanting to have a woman so he can ignore, annoy, refuse, among other things, which in turn, makes him satisfied. Great stuff!

‘Veronica’, much like the last track isn’t as memorable as the previous tracks. Some decent goofy lyrics about a girlfriend who commits suicide and our singer misses her, “but not enough to cry!” It’s pretty much another rock n roll tinged punk tune.

‘The Candy Man’ is a decent cover in goofy, sloppy, punk rock fashion. Some ridiculous, funny, pitch-shifted vocals do some back-up’s throughout. Not bad but not mind-blowing either.

‘Steal Your Beer’ is a decent retardo punk track about coming into town, fucking your daughter, wrecking your home, eating your food and stealing your beer, among some other shenanigans! Like I said before, I’m not big of these types of lyrics but Sloppy Seconds pull it off.

‘Time Bomb’ is the last track, it’s a decent punk rock track with nice back-up vocals that remind me of ‘Give ‘em Enough Rope’ era Clash. These last four tracks kind of let the record down, not that they are bad songs, but when compared to ‘I Don’t Wanna Be A Homosexual’, ‘Come Back Traci’, ‘Blackmail’, ‘Germany’, ‘Janie Is a Nazi’, and so on, they just don’t seem to stack up.

Overall, Sloppy Seconds offer us a blinder of an album packed full of great melodies, chord progressions and leads as well as giving us some of the greatest ‘silly’ lyrics ever written. If it wasn’t for those last few tracks this would be an ‘all-killer, no filler’ deal. I’d definitely suggest you listen to this if you like punk rock, have a sense of humour and don’t take things too seriously. If you were wondering about their other recorded material, this is by far the best stuff. The other records don’t have the overly snotty vocals, rockabilly leads and catchy melodies that this masterpiece has.

Download is below and it’s the 20^th Anniversary Edition with even more tracks! Goddamn, I better hurry over to download it myself!

Direct Download

http://www.sendspace.com/file/nflxt8

Dr Drunk Blog: Grab the other Sloppy records!

http://drdrunkruinsitforeveryone.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/sloppy-seconds-re-upped.html