| The Vandals Hitler Bad, Vandals Good |
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 | Tracklist:
1. People That Are Going To Hell
2. Cafe 405
3. My Girlfriend's Dead
4. I Know, Huh?
5. Money's Not An Issue
6. I've Got an Ape Drape
7. If The Gov't Could Read My Mind
8. Too Much Drama
9. Come Out Fighting
10. Euro-Barge
11. F'D Up Girl
12. Idea For A Movie
13. OK
14. So Long, Farewell
| Ranking: #78 for 1998 | |
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On 3 Lists
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1 of 1 thought this review was well written
When I was first getting into the whole "non-rap/rnb/dance" scene, I would hang out with a friend of mine, and we'd listen to the Nitro compliation release "Punkzilla" constantly, and it was then I first heard bands I am now very fond of, such as AFI, Guttermouth and The Vandals. Hearing "Behind The Music" and "Why Are You Alive?" persuaded me to run out and buy "Look What I Almost Stepped In". I was instantly a fan. Their loveable pop-punky charm and humour, fast two-minute songs and Warren Fitzgerald were a perfect combination. They have the power to make everyone leave their shows with a smile upon their faces.
Songs to back-up my opinion? "I've Got An Ape Drape" springs to mind.
"I've got an ape drape! Yes I do!
They're givin' them to anyone and that means you!
You can drive to Riverside and get one too
And then you'll have an ape drape like I do!"
With these lyrics, all four members of the band singing them, and the crowd also, you can't help but smile. This is what they do best on their albums. They put many "sing-along" or back up parts throughout their songs, so the crowd are influenced to join in.
Guitarist Warren is quite skilled, but relies a lot on his stage-presence for good audience feedback. Bassist Joe is nothing special in all honesty, and was the Vandals' drummer when they first started out. The infamous Josh Freese, who has drummed with Guns n' Roses, A Perfect Circle, and on The Offspring's latest album "Splinter" is quite the talent behind a kit. He's got great speed! Dave has a sort of "teenagey" voice in my opinion. There's something about his voice that I love, but I don't know what it is.
The Vandals mainly rely on their lyrics and not so much on the music. If you give "My Girlfriend's Dead" a listen, what you hear is quite well-thought out lyrics. They do have great guitar and bass parts, such as "An Idea For A Movie", and a number of solos, which easily pits Warren over someone like Tom Delonge. Most of the songs were written by Warren, some by Joe, and one or two by Josh and Dave. "Come Out Fighting" is a cover of a Pennywise song, and dedicated to the memory of Jason Matthew Thirsk.
Some down sides to the album would be a few songs sound a bit samey, and they mostly have the same song structure.
I have to give full credit for the album title, as whenever I hear it, I still laugh. Now for some random information: On the inside of the album, Warren has provided some of his drawings of some of the songs. They've even opened up their own online dating agency, named after their second-most recent album, "Internet Dating Superstuds". Proof again of their loveable humour! Relatives of Josh played Saxophone on some songs, and they played a tuba at the beginning of "I Know, Huh?". And did you know that bassist Joe is the owner of Kung-Fu Records?
Recommended Songs:
People That Are Going To Hell
My Girlfriend's Dead
I've Got An Ape Drape
Cafe 405
If The Gov't Could Read My Mind
This in my own opinion is The Vandals' best release, with "Look What I Almost Stepped In" as a close second. If you like The Vandals, your collection isn't complete without this. I also think that this album could easily make The Vandals one of your new favourite bands. 4/5 easily.
Dave Quackenbush - Vocals
Warren Fitzgerald - Guitars, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Joe Escalante - Bass, Backing Vocals
Josh Freese - Drums, Backing Vocals
[url]www.vandals.com[/url]
[url]www.nitrorecords.com[/url]
[url]www.kunkfurecords.com[/url]
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Great Review:thumb:
I've grown out of the Vandals now but this is by far their best album followed by Internet super studs(or whatever it's called again).
The best songs on this album are, (in order) - Euro-Barge, People that are going to hell, My Girlfriends Dead and I've Got An Ape Drape.
This is an essential if your into punk like NOFX, Offspring, Bouncing Souls etc......
:cool:
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Vandal's is a good outfit. Good review. I have not heard this album. I read an interview with Warren Fitzgerald regarding "Hollywood Potato Chip's". When asked where he got this title from he said that that is what is left over on the Porn-casting-couch. Yuck! Hillarious! Warren did some work with Oingo Boingo in the 90's. He is an excellent guitarist. I find it refreshing that given his talent that he stick's to what he loves to do. He is capable of becoming a guitar virtuoso with his skill, yet he chooses to tone it down for the sake of making the music he loves work! Hat's off to Warren and the Vandal's!
| | | Album Rating: 4
My sister bought this album, and when I'm looking for something less than serious, it's a great listen. Definitely funny; Euro Barge is a great song, though most of them are really good. I like the Pennywise cover, too.
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[QUOTE=Bartender]My sister bought this album, and when I'm looking for something less than serious, it's a great listen. Definitely funny; Euro Barge is a great song, though most of them are really good. I like the Pennywise cover, too.[/QUOTE]
meh, Im not a big fan of the cover of Come Out Fighting. I think the Pennywise version is still a lot better eventhough the recording quality of the first album is very poor.
Have the Vandals not just released a new album as well?
:cool:
| | | Album Rating: 4
[QUOTE=AfroMan]meh, Im not a big fan of the cover of Come Out Fighting. I think the Pennywise version is still a lot better eventhough the recording quality of the first album is very poor.
[/QUOTE]
Well, I heard the Vandals version before I heard the Pennywise one, so I'm probably biased. I like the Pennywise one as well though, I actually bought the album it's on as a result of hearing this album.
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The Vandals just released "Hollywood Potato Chip" Mark. :thumb:
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[QUOTE=brycey]The Vandals just released "Hollywood Potato Chip" Mark. :thumb:[/QUOTE]
That's nice, i'll make sure to tell Mark when I see him.
:evil:
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[QUOTE=AfroMan]That's nice, i'll make sure to tell Mark when I see him.
:evil:[/QUOTE]
I refuse to believe that you have a brother. So, you can be Mark as well. 
Shit I'm sorry! I'm a bad friend. 
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good cd, good review
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The Vandals are fantastic. I love People that are Going to hell...and really anything off this album. Great Review!
| | | Album Rating: 3
I liked this album, but the have too many annoying bonus instruments in. Some stand out tracks though.This Message Edited On 03.13.06
| | | Album Rating: 4
This is a nice little comedy album, but its not that amazing
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