Review Summary: When you think of pop-punk, this is what you think of. This album is full of catchy hooks, memorable melodies and fun lyrics. A definite buy for even a casual pop-punk fan or someone looking to get into Sum 41.
Sum 41:
Derek Whibley: Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Dave Brownsound: Lead Guitar, Vocals
Cone: Bass, Vocals
Stevo32: Drums, Vocals
When Sum 41 came out with All Killer No Filler in 2001, many viewed the band as nothing more than a cash in on the success of pop-punk bands such as Green Day and blink-182. After all, Jerry Finn produced this record for the band, just as he had done for previous albums by Green Day and blink-182. Does this mean that Sum 41 is nothing more than commercial pop-punk band whose only purpose is to make money for the record companies, or are they truly a good band that deserve to be where they are today? Based on the work on this album, the latter would be more truthful. Sum 41, while not revolutionary or progressive, certainly don’t belong in the same group as bands like Good Charlotte or Simple Plan, Sum 41 comes out with a truly solid album in All Killer No Filler.
Musically, the album does not meet the technicality standards set on later records by Sum 41, but there are plenty of catchy hooks and nice riffs.
In Too Deep is a prime example of the solid guitar work in All Killer No Filler. The song was a successful single, and rightly so. With an unforgettable intro and a fine solo, this song is the cream of the crop as far as guitar work goes on this album.
Not much great things can be said about the bass in this album. Most of the time Cone is just playing root notes of whatever chord the guitar is playing. There’s a nice little bass part in the interlude of
Motivation, but other than that, there’s not a lot there. Cone really is in Sum 41 not because he’s a great bassist, but more because of his personality and stage presence.
The drums are not much to right home about. Stevo gets the job done, and has some nice fills thrown in, but he mostly just keeps the beat and doesn’t go outside of the box too much. Remember, this is pop-punk. Therefore, extreme talent in drumming isn’t necessary.
One negative side of the album is that there is some filler. Even though the title of the album says there is none, every track isn’t of great quality. Songs like
Summer,
Never Wake Up,
All She’s Got and
Crazy Amanda Bunkface seem like pure filler.
All Killer No Filler does do a good job of counteracting the weaker songs with real solid classic pop-punk songs.
Fat Lip was the first single off the album and probably the most popular Sum 41 song of all time. With a catchy intro, rapping verses with unforgettable lyrics, an anthem chorus and a soft bridge, this song is what comes to mind when thinking about catchy pop-punk. In Too Deep, Motivation,
Handle This,
Rhythms,
Nothing On My Back and
Heart Attack are also songs that highlight the album.
Another part of the album that draws attention is the last song,
Pain for Pleasure. The song is sung by Stevo, the drummer, and is an obvious tribute to old glam metal. While short, it still gets you listening with its metal guitar work and really crazy singing by Stevo.
In the end, this album is worth a listen to anybody, even if they are just a casual fan of pop-punk. For anyone looking to get into Sum 41, this is a great record to start with. It’s got plenty of catchy pop-punk songs that are still remembered today, and longevity is something hard to accomplish in pop-punk. It’s not without its flaws, but overall it’s a great album.
