Tony Pascarella
03/09/06, 04:09 PM
NOFX - Never Trust a Hippy [EP]
Release Date: March 14, 2006
Record Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Back in 1983, people began to realize that Fat Mike and his merry men, NOFX, had something special. As the bassist and vocalist, Fat Mike (Mike Burkett) helped not just to turn NOFX into punk rock superstars, but also helped foster the music scene through his label, Fat Wreck Chords. In addition, he is listed as producer on countless albums has guested on CDs by bands from Screeching Weasel to No Use for a Name to Lagwagon. Ten studio albums and nearly twice that many EPs later, NOFX has returned to the genre they helped shape with a brand-new EP titled Never Trust a Hippy and a full album to follow in April. The first two tracks on Never Trust a Hippy are from the band’s upcoming full-length record, Wolves in Wolves’ Clothing. “Seeing Double at the Triple Rock” is loud, brash, and features a chugging classic punk sound. It is memorable, blistering, and ends all too soon just over two minutes later. “The Marxist Brothers” is a lot more laid back, with the music coming in reverberating waves behind Fat Mike’s distinctive vocals. I am not a huge fan of this song until the instrumental closer, which brings back the vintage sound that everyone knows and loves.
With a kooky intro, “Golden Boys” is an anthemic track with a political message that rings loud and clear. This one is catchy as hell as Fat Mike appropriately spits fire at the government through this cover song. “You’re Wrong” is probably my favorite song off the EP, but because of its uniqueness. Completely acoustic, it boasts some amusing lyrics such as “You’re wrong when you imprison people turning tricks/and you’re wrong about trickle-down economics/if you think that punk rock doesn’t mix with politics, you’re wrong.” Taking potshots at everyone to the left of center, Fat Mike puts a smile on the faces of liberals and gives the conservatives something to grimace about—and isn’t that what NOFX has been doing well for years, anyway?
“Everything in Moderation (Especially Moderation)” is a swift kick in the ass, NOFX-style, to follow the mellow “You’re Wrong.” A hard-charging riff guides this one, although the musicianship is not quite as good as say, “Seeing Double at the Triple Rock,” but that’s why it is essentially a b-side and didn’t make the album. Kicking off with a wandering bass intro, “I’m Going to Hell for This One” lands about in the middle of this six-song disc. It’s neither amazing nor bad, and is accurately summed up by the final line, “What you see is what you get.”
This EP isn’t NOFX at their absolute finest, and it is altogether far too short (13 minutes, five seconds!), but it does give diehard fans something to look forward to in April as well as offer some cool songs that might get people into NOFX if they’ve been under a rock for the last 23 years. If you like your punk rock styled from the late 80’s, then this EP certainly isn't a bad purchase; I expect some great things from the full album.
Buy NOFX's Never Trust a Hippy EP on iTunes (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=PjIvm57kicI&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos. apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStor e.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%25 3D215745290%2526id%253D215745284%25 26s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30 )
Links: Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/nofx) | Official Site (http://www.nofx.org/)
Release Date: March 14, 2006
Record Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Back in 1983, people began to realize that Fat Mike and his merry men, NOFX, had something special. As the bassist and vocalist, Fat Mike (Mike Burkett) helped not just to turn NOFX into punk rock superstars, but also helped foster the music scene through his label, Fat Wreck Chords. In addition, he is listed as producer on countless albums has guested on CDs by bands from Screeching Weasel to No Use for a Name to Lagwagon. Ten studio albums and nearly twice that many EPs later, NOFX has returned to the genre they helped shape with a brand-new EP titled Never Trust a Hippy and a full album to follow in April. The first two tracks on Never Trust a Hippy are from the band’s upcoming full-length record, Wolves in Wolves’ Clothing. “Seeing Double at the Triple Rock” is loud, brash, and features a chugging classic punk sound. It is memorable, blistering, and ends all too soon just over two minutes later. “The Marxist Brothers” is a lot more laid back, with the music coming in reverberating waves behind Fat Mike’s distinctive vocals. I am not a huge fan of this song until the instrumental closer, which brings back the vintage sound that everyone knows and loves.
With a kooky intro, “Golden Boys” is an anthemic track with a political message that rings loud and clear. This one is catchy as hell as Fat Mike appropriately spits fire at the government through this cover song. “You’re Wrong” is probably my favorite song off the EP, but because of its uniqueness. Completely acoustic, it boasts some amusing lyrics such as “You’re wrong when you imprison people turning tricks/and you’re wrong about trickle-down economics/if you think that punk rock doesn’t mix with politics, you’re wrong.” Taking potshots at everyone to the left of center, Fat Mike puts a smile on the faces of liberals and gives the conservatives something to grimace about—and isn’t that what NOFX has been doing well for years, anyway?
“Everything in Moderation (Especially Moderation)” is a swift kick in the ass, NOFX-style, to follow the mellow “You’re Wrong.” A hard-charging riff guides this one, although the musicianship is not quite as good as say, “Seeing Double at the Triple Rock,” but that’s why it is essentially a b-side and didn’t make the album. Kicking off with a wandering bass intro, “I’m Going to Hell for This One” lands about in the middle of this six-song disc. It’s neither amazing nor bad, and is accurately summed up by the final line, “What you see is what you get.”
This EP isn’t NOFX at their absolute finest, and it is altogether far too short (13 minutes, five seconds!), but it does give diehard fans something to look forward to in April as well as offer some cool songs that might get people into NOFX if they’ve been under a rock for the last 23 years. If you like your punk rock styled from the late 80’s, then this EP certainly isn't a bad purchase; I expect some great things from the full album.
Buy NOFX's Never Trust a Hippy EP on iTunes (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=PjIvm57kicI&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos. apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStor e.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%25 3D215745290%2526id%253D215745284%25 26s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30 )
Links: Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/nofx) | Official Site (http://www.nofx.org/)