Review Summary: This CD simply unfolds as one of the best ever. And it is chock full of music. With Get Out! and Rawhide, this CD covers 73+ minutes, literally filling the CD. For this reason, and this reason alone, they couldn't put Nowell's version of Trench town Rock
Sublime takes every kind of music I have ever liked (ska, punk, reggae, funk) and combines it into this amazingly unique sound that no one could ever come close to duplicating. The musicianship on this album is unmatched, as Bradley James Nowell (guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and frontman)'s voice is just the best I have ever heard. You can hear the soul in it, the way it goes from loud screaming punk (We're Only Gonna Die, Hope, and New Thrash) to soft echoing ballads (songs not on this album: Boss DJ & Mary) just proves how great he is. Eric Wilson just drops some of the greatest bass lines I have ever heard. And Floyd "Bud" Gaugh I, often forgotten due to the greatness of Nowell and Wilson, does a damn good job on drums. I will go through this CD track by track.
Waiting For My Ruca- Great lead to the album. The first words on this album tells you Sublime's story- "Punk rock changed our lives". Nowell's voice is first heard in its truest form here. 5/5
Get Out!- Only on the original Skunk release, this song is Sublime's calling card. This is the best example of ever of Nowell's voice. 4/5
40 Oz. To Freedom- The title track, this one is more of a rock song, classic Sublime, that shows off Nowell's guitar and opens up some more of their music. 5/5
Smoke Two Joints- The ultimate pot smokers anthem, very catchy, the scratching in the middle is great, and at the end you hear Nowell's amazing vocals again. 3/5
We're Only Gonna Die- Great cover of Bad Religion's classic. Shows the punk side of Sublime 5/5
Don't Push- Here's the reggae Sublime is known for. Great example of classic bass. 3/5
5446 That's My Number/Ball and Chain- Great musicianship. You hear horns for the first time here, headlined by a great alto sax solo. Nowell's voice is perhaps at its best here- he loses his breath at one point, just showing you how honest Sublime was. He sings along with a solo here. You hear that great bass driving the tune again. 5/5
Badfish- A more reggae influenced tune. Great Sublime. Crazy good bass line. 5/5
Let's Go Get Stoned- Great sampling, good bass again. 5/5
New Thrash- More of a live, thrash, punk song...enjoyable. 5/5
Scarlet Begonias- A Grateful Dead Cover that is simply superb. 4/5
Live At E's- You hear Eric sing, which you've got love, as well as Ras MG and other Sublime contributors. 5/5
DJs- One of the best song on the album. At the end you hear Specials vocals, showing ska influences. 5/5
Chica Mi Tipo- All in Spanish 'cept the last few words, good guitar solos and sax. because its a Spanish 3/5
Right Back- Amazing Sublime song, good groove towards the end. One of their best. Has a reggae vibe. 5/5
What Happened- Great song. The sax in the beginning is amazing and the warmth of the first 45 or so seconds of this song is just crazy. 5/5
New Song- Like New Thrash, doesn't sound so much like a studio recorded song. Very good still. 3/5
Ebin- Great bass line...considered by many of their better songs, but I don't really dig it too much. 3/5
Date Rape- Their radio hit, featuring great horns. Only song with real mainstream appeal on the album. 5/5
Rawhide- Only on Skunk release, cover of old showtune. 2/5
Hope- Great punk cover. 4/5
KRS-One- Tribute to the rapper, great acoustic song, good sampling. 4/5
Rivers of Babylon- Nowell doubles with Jack Mannis to cover a great song. Good xylophone solo, good guitar parts. 5/5
Thanks Dub- A rarity, the thank yous in a song. Features a list of everyone they owe something to, to some great bass lines. Good way to wrap up an amazing album. No Rating
