Santa Barbara’s pride, Lagwagon, have been belting ‘em out sinds 1990. Before they existed Joey, Chris and Derrick were members of the punk/metal band called Section 8. Almost all of the guys that played on Duh were into heavy metal. I can’t really hear the metal influence on the album as a lot of people do. I’d say it’s fast melodical punk. Also a lot of people compared Lagwagon to Nofx and said they sounded the same. What a shame, everyone that gives a good listen to Duh can say that’s false.
Lagwagons debut album Duh was released on 28 October 1992 and with that the first record to be released on Fat Wreck Chords. According to Joey long before this record came out Lagwagon had a stockpile of songs together for the first and even for their second record, Trashed. As opposed to their new albums the lyrics were wrote to the music.
Joey’s voice is unique in every way. In comparing to their newer albums his voice is not that clean. It´s more raw which i prefer because of his voice sounding more colourful and emotional.
The bass is good, but it’s a pity that it’s more on the background. The guitarriffs are very strong in like every song. It’s not just four chords they play. Technically the guitars and the whole album are top notch.
The drums are amazing, some of the best punk drumming of all time. This album is a pearl for all drummers who are into punk. Why? Because of it’s fast, rolling and thight drumming and because of it’s diversity. The drums fit exactly in each song. Credits to Derrick who unfortunatly committed suiced last year (30 march 2005).
The album kicks of with a fast driven song called
Tragic Vision. The song’s about the children who grow up in this faltering nation, how they are on drugs and how they are ignoring.
Only if he knew, The consequence of greed, A conscious state of mind, TV is not reality. That’s how the chorus goes. The song returns to the cover. When you look at the cover art of the album, you immediately understand what it’s about
: a kid staring at the tv with a coke in his hands. The atmosphere is set for the album with this very good song, lyrically and musically.
A lot of songs on the album lyrically tackle personal politics, like the song Bury the Hatchet which is about losing friends. This song has the most catchy chorus of the album and has a lot of tempo swifts. Another example is the upcoming song
Angry Days which was released on vynil as their single. This is the slowest song but still a very strong song about a punk that is older now and still is sad and still hates everyone.
You built those walls of hate, Don’t tell me it’s too late.
A Lagwagon album can’t do without some humor. The song
Beer Goggles is about playing in front of an almost empty flock and how they like it to get drunk.
I’m not saying I have to be drunk but tequila shots make it more fun, I’m having fun. Oh, Beer Goggles, I love to put them on... And one size fits all!!! This really is a sing-a-long song with mindless lyrics but the melody is awesome. Lagwagon don’t like this song anymore because of it’s lyrics.
Mr Coffee is another humorous song, the fastest song on the album. It´s about how they deal with their coffee addiction. The music fits perfectly with the funny lyrics.
There is a short (0:24) instrumental song, the theme of the
Inspector Gadget cartoon. It never gets annoying, but the album could’ve done without it.
Lagwagon putted their sound to the song
Bad Moon Rising (written by John Fogerty). The song is kept in it´s worth; it´s even better than it´s original. The verse is slow and like the original song, but the chorus goes wild. They did a good job on the cover.
The last song is called after their band name and is about lazyness as what Lagwagon letterly stands for. The album will leave you begging for more, but do not bother. If you like Duh, you will like Trashed, their second full length which also is a classic.
Be sure to check Lagwagon live, nothing can beat the band on stage.
All Aboard the Lagwagon!!!
Duh
Vocals - Joey Cape
Bass – Jesse Buglione
Guitar – Chris Flippin
Guitar and vocals – Shawn Dewey
Drums – Derrick Plourde †
5/5
P.S. This is my first review.
