The Vandals have been around for quite some time, since the mid 1980's I beleive. The Vandals are a punk or pop-punk band. Since the 1996 release of The Quickening the Vandals have gotten more poppy since every release. When Internet Dating Superstuds came out in 2002 it was so poppy I couldn't even listen to some of the songs. I'll admit I was afraid that the Vandals were getting like Good Charlotte of Simple Plan. I was not looking forward to the release of this album at all.
When I bought Hollywood Potato Chips I didn't know what to expect. I didn't think I was going to like it, but I had to get it since the Vandals were one of my favorite bands. All I have to say is that I'm glad I bought it because it isn't poppy at all.
Members - Dave Quackenbush - Vocals
Warren Fitzgerald - Vocals, Guitar
Joe Escalante - Bass
Josh Frese - Drums
How They Getcha 2:07 - How They Getcha stars off the album with a raging drumbeat and a furious guitar line. After this the song goes into a catchy guitar irff and then Dave starts shouting the lyrics. This whole song is fast and furious. The drumbeat is fast throughout the whole song and Dave is shouting or screaming the lyrics. At 1:31 into the song a fast guitar solo is played for only about 15 seconds. After this Dave starts whispering "it's a lie" and high-pitches backing vocals shriek "It's how they get you." This closes the song. This is a hardcore punk song.
5/5
Don't Stop Me Now 2:51 - This is a cover of Queens "Don't Stop me Now." The Vandals slowed down the pace on this song, it is a lot less sloppy and more organized. A simple guitar chord makes up most of this song. I must warn you that the chorus is super catchy. At 1:43 the song slows down and Warren whispers "don't stop me, don't stop me" After this a brief guitar line is played and then back to the chorus. This is very catchy and it avoids being overly poppy. This is an acceptably cover song.
4/5
My Neck, My Back 2:06 - This one stars off with a blend of guitar and drums with Dave shouting "Hey hey hey, ohh yeah." This is exactly how I would define a Vandals song. Daves voice is fast and loud, the lyrics are funny "My neck and my back is nearly broke, I kind of won the lottery, I'll take what they are offering, vicodine and Ambien and watch a lot of television." This song isn't that hardcore like "How they getch", its a bit more poppy but it does the job. No instruments stand out but this is an average song.
3/5
Be A Good Robot 2:25 - This starts off with a few power chords and then followed by electronic effects. Then a slow drumbeat comes in and the song finally explodes into a quick punk beat. Davc starts out singing in a monotone robotic type voice, he is actually good at it. Then the songs gets heavier when Warren comes in and starts shouting the lyrics. The chorus is fast and sloppy, but it does get you pumped up. At 1:35 a guitar solo is played for about 20 seconds. The chorus comes in and closes out the song. This song is very similar to "How they getcha", it is fast and furious.
4.5/5
Manimal 2:48 - This song stars off with a guitar chord and Dave is singing. This is just like "My Neck, My Back" except it is softer. "Manimal" is a love song and it isn't very good. The lyrics are funny"So you can understand it's part of natures plan I'm just a man." At 1:14 a mini guitar solo is played and then the song slowes down and the chorus repeats. This is just a mediocre track.
2.5/5
My Special Moment 2:33 - A drumbeat and guitar chord start this song. The song later goes into a space rock theme. This is the catchiest song on the album and will have you singing along instantly. This song is mainly powered by a simple guitar riff, and another simple drumbeat. There are no special guitar solos or anything like that, but the song is funny and catchy. At the end of the song Dave shouts"It's my special time" and holds the time for about 20 seconds, it's incredible. This is a good pop/punk song.
4/5
Designed By Satan 2:32 - This song starts off with another guitar line and simple drumbeat. I think the lyrics are about frusterating board games. This song isn't fast nor is it slow. Sort of like "My Special Moments" only this has a more depressing theme. With hilarious lyrics this song is a winner. The chorus is catchy(as usual) but again no instruments really stand out enough to make this a standout.
3.5/5
Atrocity 2:43 - This is an angry song. The instruments combine to make some odd, or minor sounds. Dave whisperes the lyrics in the begining of the song. This song doesn't really go anywhere. The chorus "I'm building a bomb, I am i'm building a bomb." There are some funky bass riffs and the chorus is catchy but this song is kind of boring. I wouldn't consider this filler but this really isn't that special except for the fact that it is catchy.
3/5
Dig a Hole 1:57 - This is the most furious and sloppy song off the album. You can't really understand Dave because he is singing so fast you can't really understand it. This will grow on you and the more you listen to this the more you will uncover the funny lyrics. This songs deals with procrastination and how people are getting stupider and stupider as time goes on. At 1:20 there is a brief slowdown part, and then Dave goes on shouting the lyrics and then the song closes. This is a solid track if you like hardcore punk
4/5
Don't Make Me Get My Fat Ass Off This Couch 2:33 - This is probably my favorite song off the album. This starts off with a nice guitar line with a fast drumbeat backing it up. Again the song isn't soft nor heavy, it sort of falls right in the middle. This is a strong track vocaly. There is a very nice slowdown part that starts at about 1:27 and ends 15 seconds later. The guitar is a standout and so are the vocals & lyrics. The song ends with a guitar chord and Josh pounding the drums.
5/5
I Guess I'll Take You Back 2:32 - This might be the softest track on the album. The song starts off with a soft guitar line and a loud drumbeat. Dave comes in singing with just a slow guitar line playing in the backround. You keep on waiting for the song to explode, and it finally does at :56. Then the song goes into a typical punk song. The lyrics are about wanting someone back, and the lyrics are once again quite funny. There are no real stand out instruments but this is a good solid track. The song fades out with a nice drumbeat and a beeping phone that is off the hook.
4/5
Christian Or Canadian 2:27 - This is the equivelent to "Dig a hole." Again the Vandals start the song off with a furious guitar line and a heavy drumbeat. The vocals are high-pitched and in the backround there is a power chord and a drumbeat. Although this was very annoying at first the song grows on you and it is oddly catchy. This is a heavy track mixed with thrill screaming and it's very amusing. The Vandals don't let us down with the lyrics, or the vocals.
4/5
I Am Crushed 3:49 - This is a slow track and I think this is a good way to end the album. The songs starts off with a twinkle like effect and then Dave come sin signing "Oh I am crushed, and I am devistated." The songs stayes slow and soft until 1:11, then the song pickes up the pace and it gets fast and catchy. The lyrics deal with being unlucky and having a crappy life. Although the lyrics are demening the song is very upbeat. At 2:41 the song goes back to a soft easy feal. 20 seconds later the song gets faster as the drumming and bass come in. The album ends with Dave shouting "I Am Crushed." This is a magnificent song to end the album with.
5/5
Overall rating -4/5
Pros: The Vandals returned to playing punk music and not pop-punk crap.
Good variety of slow and fast songs
The guitar playing and drumming is good.
Cons: Some people may not like all of the sloppy songs
If you like "Internet Dating Superstuds" you might not like this as much.
The Vandals did really well here. They returned to there old form which the biggest accomplishment that they did. Although this is my 3rd favorite Vandals album it is a good one. I will recomend this to punk fans and to people who like bands like NOFX, and the Descendents.
