Sum 41 - Half Hour Of Power
Mercury Records 2001
Introduction:
This is the first offering of the canadian pop-punk band. I don't know if this is supposed to be an LP or an EP, for the songs are fairly short and a lot of the songs are instrumentals full of metal-influenced riffs. The proper songs are about near the 3 minute mark and are full of powerchords, straight- forward lyrics and the occasional 5-note solo. Basically the band's song structure.
1. Grab The Devil By The Horns And **** Him Up The ***
One of the instumentals. Starts off with quite a fast riff and then lots of muted powerchords come in, in a Metallics-like manner then comes to the riff at the beginning with a slow tempo. The band shouts 'yeah' and comes into another riff until fade-out.
2. Macine Gun
Basically one of the best songs on the whole album. The lyrics are about abuse of alchohol in the traditional pop-punk way. Has a nice solo at the half way point then a break. After this it has lots of 'na's" and then a "freak-out!" The drums are a highlight and are better than average. A sweet drum line closes the song.
3. What I Believe
A slower song, like a pop-punk ballad if you will. A slow riff like something out Sweet Child O Mine. The lyrics are about lies. Not the best song on the album but good to get into the Sums.
4. T.H.T.
This is a really fast 40 second song. You wouldn't know the lyrics, you would have to look it up. Near the end it goes into a one-off chorus. It's over before it's even started
5. Makes No Difference and 6. Summer
I really hate these songs and I tend to always skip them. They both sound nearly the same. They are way too pop-punky for me. Very mediocre and bland and boring. Well, you get the picture.
7. 32 Ways To Die
An amazing drum solo, It starts off slow and the double bass and the bass drums are used. Then he moves on to the snares, then the cymbals and then some power-chords come in and dave uses some wah. This instrumental shows off steve's drumming very well
8. Second Chance For Max Headroom
The drumming on this track is very strong aswell. Not a personal favourite for it is too long. Being the longest track at 3:51. I hate the vocals on this track, it sounds like he's singing all the wrong notes. At the end, WTF?!? Trumpets? How very ska!
9. Dave's Possesed Hair/ It's What We're All About
This is the original version of the song on the Spider-man soundtrack. Has the beginning of What We're All About and then goes into a completly different song. Quite mediocre. In the last minute, they manage to put most of the rapping part in 60 seconds
11. Another Time Round
It's quite slow at the start and then goes punky. It's an alright song I guess. They leave it to run at the end so the album would reach 30 minutes(Hence the title, geddit?)
Pros
Drumming is strong throughout
Some of the riffs are quite cool
Cons
It sells at a full album price
The songs sound the same
Way too short
Verdict:
The band who gave pop-punk it's name. This album has it's up and downs and most of the songs sound the same but this band has talent and are just young people having fun with music.
3/5
