NOFX - Heavy Petting Zoo

I love NOFX but...

This album sucks for the most part. It has its moments but its not worth paying more than $5 for it. If you see it in the used bin at the record store I would say go for it but, don't expect to like it that much. Honestly, with the exception of 4 songs, this album pretty much blows. Fat Mike's vocals are the worst on this record. Don't believe me, listen to "Hotdog in a Hallway" (Worst NOFX song of all time in my opinion). He can scream punk anthems all day long but as soon as he starts softly singing (which he does A LOT on this album) thats when I just have to shut it off.

All ranting aside, there are some good songs on this album. Freedom like a shopping cart, Bleeding Heart Disease, The Black and White and Drop the World are the only songs I actually enjoy listening to. The only other 2 songs I can tolerate are Whats a Matter with Kids Today and Release the Hostages. Everything else on the album is pure, and totally uncut FILLER.

So the bottom line is if you are starting to get into NOFX I recommend starting with White Trash, 2 Heebs and a Bean, then moving on to Punk and Drublic. Then if you really want to, LISTEN to this record first all the way through then decide if its for you. Trust me, no one will critisize you for not having it because everyone knows it sucks.

And for the people who desperatly try to defend this album, give it up. Even NOFX knows this record sucks. I have personally seen this band live 3 times and have only heard 1 song played from this record ONCE. And the song was the 45 second opener Hobophobic so that right there should tell you all you need to know about this record. October 18, 2006

this Cd had NOFX on me

The music basically is like any other album by this band, skillfully performed but not skillfully written. The music simply has no appeal, the chord progressions don't interest me. They make the Sex Pistols look good if you ask me, though of course thousands of people insist on liking them even though they have NO SKILL
Punk rock musts are listed below
Early Green Day
The Offspring
Sum 41
Pennywise
Rancid May 10, 2006

the last great nofx album

this is my favorite nofx record. never mind how 'punk' it is - the songwriting is incredible and shows them at their creative peak. unfortunately this album had a negative reception with the fans, and nofx have never been as ambitious or adventurous with their music since. don't get me wrong, i love all their music, but this is the one. December 9, 2005

Not like NOFX's other albums

Compared with the rest of their discography, this is NOFX's slowest, least hardcore, and possibly "catchiest" release. If you're not big on ska, you're probably alot better off checking out "Punk in Drublic" or their earlier material. Lots of slower, catchy drum groove and guitar driven tracks here with less hardcore three chord then any other album by the band.

Liza is a good track to listen to get a feeling for how this album differs from the "standard" NOFX sound. Lyrically it's standard fare, smart humor and politics shot padded with bathroom humor (hear specifically lesbian and fat girl jokes.)

This album rocks, but if you're more interested in being hardcore then picking up a catchy good record you might think it's "weak sauce." just a warning.

"Freedom Like a Shopping Cart" may be the best song ever recorded. September 20, 2005

Fantastic Album

NOFX is one of my favorite bands and i have to admit this was one of my least favorite albums at first. As the years went on i liked it more and more. Now I absolutely love this album. This and "So Long..." and prob my two favs at the moment. I love the mix of punk with some good ska mixed in. Everyone says that this record is slow, but other than a few songs, i think that it has that same lightning fast feel as any other NOFX album. This CD is soooo good, I totally recommend it. Fat Mike is the man. June 9, 2005

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