I had this whole nice succinct review planned out whereby I was gonna explain why I dig this album. But then the interwebs went and pissed me off. So instead of getting right to the meat and potatoes of things I’m gonna start it off like this…
It doesn’t fucking matter what other people think about the music you fucking listen to. If you let the opinions and tastes of the tastemakers wholly affect you either positively or negatively you are a jackoff. Music is something that when you hear it with your own ears you should be able to immediately form your own damn opinion on. Should you read review sites before buying something? Only the mother fucking FSS. But if you find yourself digging something and we don’t like it, get down with your own damn funky self and tell us to fuck off. If you find yourself digging something and then find out Pitchfork likes it too, you should continue to fucking like it you goddamn idiot. You know how many bands I love that have completely horrible fan bases by and large? A lot. But why should I let that ruin something that means something to me?
Every time I see Ballzy mentioned on punk sites it’s immediately followed by people complaining that they’re part of some hipster plan to infiltrate or co-opt punk rock. The same is said of Fucked Up. Christ almighty can’t we all just get a long. I’m not a fan of hipsters either but I’m not gonna not enjoy something I actually like because of them. Just like I’m not gonna like something just because they tell me I should either. Liking or not liking stuff because you’re “supposed to” is their deal… not ours.
Punk Rock is about doing exactly what the fuck you want to do. Fuck popular opinion. Fuck unpopular opinion. It’s your fucking opinion that matters and that alone… now on with the review that would have been short and sweet had I not just read a bunch of people complaining about this band for dumbass reasons.
Saw these guys a few months back when they opened for the mighty OFF. I dug em enough that I picked up their cassette EP. Now they start turning up on Adult Swim and the reason for this I found out is that Williams Street a killer production company is now branching out into putting out records too. This might be one of the smartest business moves of the 21st Century! Put a bunch of snot nosed teenagers singing about drinking, doing drugs, cutting class, hopping turnstiles, puking, and skateboarding on a network that has the exact same teenagers as it’s primary demographic. Who else is staying up that late? I got a job and have to dvr my awesome show, aqua teen, eagleheart, and children’s hospital.
Savvy marketing aside this album is fucking great. Really. It’s not breaking any new ground for hardcore but I don’t think anyone’s done this So-Cal skate punk style this well since Suicidal Tendencies first flipped up their hat brims. If you’re 15 and just getting into punk this album will probably be the best thing you’ve ever heard. If like me you’re twice that age but mentally undeveloped you’ll be into it too.
My only complaint is I had to download this off iTunes. Couldn’t find word of vinyl and I’ve pretty much given up on CDs these days. Doesn’t matter though. Get it anyway you can, this shit rules.
(Editors Note: T Frankenstein realizes the inherent irony in telling people to think for themselves. Is thinking for yourself really thinking for yourself if someone has to tell you to do it?)
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