NOFX - War on Errorism

maybe a little flat when it comes to political commentary, but this still has what makes NOFX rule

There are 2 categories of NOFX albums that I rate highly. In one category are the albums that excited me almost immediately and sucked me in from almost the first note--those would be Punk in Drublicand Pump Up the Valuum.

In the second category are the albums that didn't jump out to me at first--in fact, maybe I even disliked at first--but in time grew on me and got better and better with each listen. In this category, Heavy Petting Zoo and White Trash, Two Heebs and a Bean.

So I like this disc, and I would put it in category 2. I was a little put-off at first from the CD-ROM intro and opening to the liner notes, because I thought NOFX was a smartly political band--smart in the sense that they mostly attacked mediocrity and small-mindedness in everyday life, which reflected on the big picture, but was basically trying to change the people in the crowd rather throw garbage than the big heads on stage. They can be as mad as they want about the first W. Bush election, but I was afraid that they had fallen into the trap of bad, hackneyed political rage.

I was a teen in the Reagan era, and when George W. got elected, an old friend of mine said a very wise thing: "Man, this sucks," he said, "but at least we'll get some good music out of it." Probably the best thing I could say as a personal boon from the Reagan years was all the great, angry music that came out during it. Of course, there was a lot of crap (take child punk band Old Skull (Get Outta School) and their insightful commentary, "I hate you, Ronald Reagan!"), but I can wade through a lot of crap if it lets me light on an island called The Age of Quarrel or Suicidal Tendencies (s/t, of course). So I had hope for some cool music as the age of George W. began, and as much as I like to disparage Green Day, I found "Holiday" to be one of the best durn songs they've ever done.

But my first listen to this NOFX disc made me think that they'd fallen into the Pile of Crap category of angry political punk commentary. "The Irrationality of Rationality" is still one of the weaker tracks on this disc in my estimation, but luckily NOFX still take stabs at what they stab best--lame punk rock ("Medio-core") and sexual prissiness ("She's Nubs"). Later on, with "American Errorist," they abdicate more of taking a stand rather than a particular ideology, though I'm sure some dualist will have a disagreement with that assessment.

In all, this isn't one of NOFX's best efforts, but don't let the overt political messages distract you--there is still a lot of good, refreshingly funny NOFX in "We Got Two Jealous Agains" and "Whoops, I OD'd." They remain nicely contrary and rigidly independent from trends, whether those trends be in music or popular thought. I mean, YEARS after their musical proclamation that they won't play ska anymore, here comes "Anarchy Camp." The overt contradiction is nothing less than a good chuckle against the rigid, unimaginative realm of those who think there is such a thing as consistency in life.

To the boys of NOFX, I raise a Walker Blue to your continued health. Keep churning it out.
May 19, 2007

Disappointed

I think this is the first NOFX album in a long time that truely sucks. A few exceptions, but definitively not worth my money. May 4, 2007

Preachy Punk

Fat Mike knows how to write a good punk song with great harmonies. But the only thing that bothers me is how one-sided everything is. I mean, that's expected in the genre of punk. But what bothers me the most is how Fat Mike points the finger at the rednecks and calls them ignorant. Now I myself am a democrat, but I think it's equally ignorant to just nod along and agree with everything this band preaches.

Besides that, it's a pretty solid album. Key tracks: "13 Stitches" and "Whoops, I Od'd." May 2, 2007

Beginning of a new era for NoFX?

I'm not familiar with NoFX's earlier works, really... I only have their latest two albums (this and Wolves in Wolves' Clothing). I highly recommend both. I would say this album is superior to Wolves, but not by much! Both are spectacular. Angry, pessimistic, clever, fast, original... I love it. From what I've heard of their earlier stuff, this album is alot less... well, stupid, and more meaningful. Something happened to NoFX. Something changed them. They're no longer indifferent, they're pissed; and the result is amazing. It makes me hope political and social change doesn't come too quickly!... which I'm sure defeats the purpose of writing this and Wolves. Get both and enjoy them before the right-wing neo-conservative military-industrial complex is overtaken by the left-wing pseudo-communist egalitarian-society of the future. November 22, 2006

Blah...

I know many punks and leftists will immediately give a "Not Helpful" vote to this review, but to be honest, I don't really care. What annoys me about NOFX and Fat Mike is that the same thing that would annoy me about a punk purist: It's all about "being punk", even if it includes things that are real hypocrisy. For example, "Medio-core", about how mainstream music is boring and unimaginative. They may always stick to being punks and never went on a major label, but really, they don't sound that far from the pop-punk that the purists despise. It seems like this was a reminder to show people that they were into politics, and there was even punkvoter.com made for the people. Unfortunately, I don't always know if I could buy the punk politics and it is not a fun album to listen to at all. "The Idiots Are Taking Over" could've really been written by anyone and is awful, possibly the worst of these songs. Also annoying is the way they try to shout out on how they're punk on the album. To any outsider, it's like they're trying to convince people. Not quite as bad as Anti-Flag, but not much better, either... September 8, 2006

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