NOFX - Pump Up the Valuum

There are two sides to the punk coin. On one side, serious and somewhat political acts such as Fugazi are in it for the pulpit. NOFX is firmly stamped on the other side, where it's less soapbox than a threat of getting their mouths washed out with soap. Not since the heyday of the Dead Milkmen has there been a more insincere and politically incorrect punk-rock outfit, and the world is a more entertaining place for it. Pump Up the Valium's lyrics are first-class juvenilia. The backwards fantasy "What's the Matter with Parents Today?" poses a Twilight Zone-like fantasy in which front man fat Mike laments how "Dad's dressing like Motley Crue" and "Mom's hair's dyed bright blue." There are also tracks such as "My Vagina" and "Herojuana," which are pretty self-explanatory. Some might find such nonstop irreverence tedious if the band weren't so tight while being impolite. --Jason Josephes Amazon.com

NOFX at its best

Having said that, it's still not fantastic, I wanted to give it four stars but just couldn't. NOFX is simply a band that will never be amazing but also that means they will never be terrible. Despite their effort to be better than those "Medio-core" bands out there today, they will always dwell somewhere between okay and pretty good.

This CD shows NOFX's most comprehensive album that I own (I confess I only own 5) They come together with energy and fun like they always do but this time the energy is more consistent, the songs are more upbeat and a little faster than on CD's like "Punk in Drublic" The guitars and bass are still okay with nothing fantastic, a couple near solos here and there but nothing to write home about. Mike's lyrics are more raunchy than before with very few songs that have a deeper meaning at all and a few that are just... eh. "Louise" always makes me cringe, "Clams have feelings too" is strange, and "My Vagina" is really only funny if you're listening to it with someone who's never heard it before, so you can watch their reactions.

Over all it's still only a good CD, but it's still only NOFX, and like I said, they're kind of in punk rock purgatory, they can't find their way to greatness but they won't ever totally suck. If you want GREAT punk rock pick up some Suicide Machines, Time Again, or Authority Zero, but if you've already got that or you're into the whole junk as music thing, this is the essence of this band and the best they have to offer.

Highlight tracks: "Take two placebos..." "Dinosaurs will die" and "Bottles to the ground" May 19, 2008

My first NOFX album

I have an irrational love for this album. It definitely has some of the most comedic lyrics yet. This was the soundtrack to my High School years. So much fun to listen to, and definitely a must buy for NOFX or punk fans. October 20, 2007

Well, it's better than Wolves In Wolves' Clothing...

Which is by far their WORST cd. You want to know an essential NOFX cd? The Decline. Okay, as for this CD, has one or two good songs, and the rest is just white noise. Don't buy the newer stuff either, it's terrible. Stick with the oldies. March 16, 2007

great CD

When I bought this CD i wasn't expecting it to top punk in drublic. however that had been wearing pretty thin in my stereo so I got this. I wasn't disappointed. the style of this CD is fast paced, 100 mph punk- without the political slant they now have. the songs range from the funny 'clams have feelings to' to just fantastically played ones such as 'dinasours will die.' I highly reccomend this CD- it epitomises NOFX for me, before they jumped on the political bandwagon. Punk in drublic also highly reccomended! July 22, 2005

Funny, but not quite as good as Punk in Drublic.

This is a great CD but it doesn't quit get 5 stars. This Cd has many of my favorite NOFX songs on it though. It includes my all time favorite,"Dinosaurs will die". It too has the hysterical song,"Thank god it's Monday". And who could forget that classic,"My V****a". This Cd is very good but Punk in Drublic is the best! March 2, 2005

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