Note: Songs with * after them appear on the Australia/NZ version of this album as bonus tracks. All other songs appear on all versions of this album.
After signing to the major label MCA after Dude Ranch and releasing their third studio album 'Enema of the State' Blink 182 headed back to the studio to record the follow up 'Take off your pants and jacket'. It's pop-punk at it's poppiest. It's not the New Found Glory style which almost seems like soppy love this is alot faster paced. It's an album which many people rubbish but there are some good songs on this album.
Anthem Part Two - Before this album Blink had a history of opening up their albums with great songs. Carousel, Pathetic and Dumpweed. This song isn't bad but it's not quite the quality of the former songs. This song gives you a good idea of what your in for. Rebelious, obnoxious lyrics is what this song is full with. It takes a while to kick in but when it does it turns out to be an allright song.
Online Songs - Remember the song 'Josie' off Dude Ranch? Well this song is connected to it but don't expect the same quality as Josie is one of Blinks best songs. The chorus of this song would be the best part but otherwise it's a decent song just nothing special to it.
First Date - Here's the albums second single. No doubt you would have heard this song. The subject theme is pretty obvious and lyrically it's something you can relate to quite easily. Very catchy.
Happy Holidays, You Bastard - You should be able to tell by the name this is going to be a joke song and what a joke song it is. 42 Seconds of frenzied pop-punk. The lyrics are immature however it's suprisingly a strong song.
Story Of a Lonely Guy - Loser anthem #348. But still a good song. Any guy who's ever been at the bottom of the social scale or liked a girl out their leauge will relate to the song. The lyrics are straight forward and it turns out as a pretty song. Good harmonies from Mark.
The Rock Show - The albums first single. It's immature, fast and catchy. It's catchynes is it's strongest virtue and it will get in your head for ages. The chorus works pretty well and the bridge sounds great.
Stay Together for the Kids - Sometimes when you listen to an album you can tell a certain song is going to be big. I got it right with 'In the End' from Linkin Park, 'Cant Stop' - RHCP and with this song here. It sold the most out of any singles released from this album. This is probably hands down the best song on the album. It's the most emotional and the lyrics are written fantasticly. An open song about divorce and confronting it. I don't rate songs in my reviews but this gets a 10.
Roller Coaster - Here's another bloody catchy song. The intro sounds awesome with just palm muted guitar and Mark singing before it kicks into the song. It's lyrically quite a good song and bloody catchy. The outro chorus kicks as
s to.
Reckless Abandon - The immature lyrics will piss a few people off with this song. This is nothing special really. It's a decent song and it's catchy that's for sure but nothing makes it stand out.
Everytime I Look For You - Another good song. Very catchy, good harmonising between Tom and Mark on this song. The verses are catchy and the chorus is very catchy. Something I've not mentioned on other songs is the quality of Travis's drumming and throughout the album it's great. He can play fast still very it up and his drumming is great on this song. The bridge in this song builds to the final chorus really well.
Give Me One Good Reason - This is another Reckless Abandon. Immature and catchy. The lyrics on this song are probably the worst on the album and Blink come across as 30 year old posers trying to create rebelion. Weakest song on the album.
Shut Up - Plenty of fu
cks in this song. It's like the previous song but more catchy and not quite so bad lyrically. The chorus here is bloody catchy and you will be hooked even if it is immature. Fugazi and Thrice fans this won't be your type of album if you haven't picked that up by now.
Please Take Me Home - More great drumming on this song. Opens up with clean chords and then kicks in. It's a great song. Catchy, well written and it has an awesome outro chorus. One of the strongest songs on the album.
Fu
ck A Dog* - Self explanatory. This song will either leave you cracking up or in dismay at it's patheticness. It's just like any other joke Blink song. Don't expect anything mature here.
What Went Wrong* - This is an acoustic song but one of the best ever written by Blink. If you've broken up with a girlfriend this song is the song to go with. It's lyrics are great and Tom's voice works really well. A great way to end the album.
So overall an album of mixed results. Alot of good songs brung down by a few not so good songs. There are enough very strong tracks here though to make this a good buy for the standard pop-punk fan. Don't expect this album to revolutionise your view of pop-punk if you hate it but if you want some light hearted catchy music this album would be right for you.
Rating: 3.75/5 :)
