MxPx - On the Cover II

[Chris Fallon]

MxPx - On the Cover II
Release Date: March 24, 2009
Record Label: Tooth & Nail

Getting older stinks. It's not all about bad backs, gray hairs, uncontrollable flatulence and late-night battles with phlegm. The bands you grew up on start sounding different, too. That isn't to say the material you adored as a younger, more resilient, wide-eyed teen has gathered dust and gotten stale. You just yearn for more when hearing the new stuff. MxPx will forever remain the Godfathers of Pop-Punk, even if you want to give that honor to the Descendents. Why? Simple -- they took it to mainstream levels that caught the attention of more than just punk rock kids, but pop and rock fans alike.

Now, after nearly 20 years of making music together, the band has taken a cue from fellow pioneers New Found Glory and released a slightly tongue-in-cheek cover album sequel, On the Cover II. Essentially, they've gone the exact same route New Found Glory went in 2007, releasing a full-length sequel to a previous EP, consisting solely of covers, chockful of guest stars and polished with a pop sheen. MxPx ditched the movie theme song idea and looked into the 1980's (for the most part), delivering a disc that is hardly anything special, but will fill the gap between more new, original material for all the die-hards.

Starting off with a cover of the humor-based punk band Dead Milkmen's only worthwhile song, the band swiftly moves into a solid rendition of early U2 classic, "I Will Follow." Gravitating more towards their own style of pop-punk, the band follows with a Descendents song featuring (lo and behold) that band's own guitarist, donating his talents to play his own tune! Lisa Loeb did it with New Found Glory, so it's only fitting Stephen Egerton does the same, right? Marshall Eriksen and Ted Moseby might not be looking to get back into "(I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles" either, as vocalist Mike Herrera shifts the melody of the chorus a tad, making it feel oddly familiar, but in a confusing way. Same goes for their disappointing version of the Clash favorite, "Should I Stay or Should I Go" (sung by guitarist Tom Wisniewski), which sounds like a karaoke cover done on Rock Band, and really does not do the original any justice.

To borrow from Dan Patrick, their cover of Queen's "Somebody to Love," featuring the Rocket Summer's Bryce Avery handling vocals, is a "swing aaaand a whiff." Not only is it one of the dullest singles Queen ever released, it just lacks that MxPx magic. Had Herrera challenged himself to take the song on completely on his own or had chosen something with a little more rhythm (there are certainly better songs Queen recorded that fit the band's own style), it would have worked. The best tracks are their kitschy 80's picks, like "Vacation" and "Kids in America," both originally done by female artists. As flavorful pop numbers, they're quirky enough to fit the sped-up versions present here -- and they're fun to sing along with to boot.

The only other real complaint that one could find here is the lack of familiarity with many of these picks. Longtime fans might recognize many of the tracks here, but younger fans who have yet to discover the heyday of the 1980's will be in the dark (one can only hope it inspires them to give Milo Goes to College or Boy a chance). Other selections are simply head scratchers (Poison's "Fallen Angel"? Ramones' "My Brain..."?), and while the obscure choices can oftentimes be momentarily entertaining, they're usually skippable here.

On the Cover II is not here for comparison to classic MxPx material, such as Life in General or Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo -- but then again, it's not supposed to be; this is a joyride in a pop-punk convertible, simply meant to last us for a few short, but memorable, moments. For now, this sequel is merely filler to quell fan anticipation before another splendid release (knock on wood).

Now, will somebody turn that damn stereo down! I'm trying to get to bed at a decent hour here! Old age... oy vey!

MxPx's On the Cover; New Found Glory's From the Screen to Your Stereo, Part II; Allister's Guilty Pleasures; road trips with NO tapes clogging the deck, only playing ONE DAMN SONG!"I Will Follow," "Suburban Home" and "Vacation"

1. Punk Rock Girl
2. I Will Follow
3. Suburban Home
4. (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles
5. My Brain is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg)
6. Vacation
7. Heaven is a Place on Earth
8. Kids in America
9. Fallen Angel
10. Should I Stay or Should I Go?
11. Linda Linda
12. Somebody to LoveMike Herrera: Vocals and bass
Tom Wisniewski: Guitar and backing vocals
Yuri Riley: Drums

Guests: Matt Hensley (Flogging Molly): Accordion on "Punk Rock Girl"
Agent M (Tsunami Bomb): Vocals on "Heaven is a Place on Earth"
Craig Owens (Chiodos): Vocals on "Fallen Angel"
Stephen Egerton (Descendents): Guitar solo on "Fallen Angel"
Ethan Luck (Relient K): Guitar solo on "Somebody to Love"
Bryce Avary (The Rocket Summer): Vocals/keyboard on "Somebody to Love"

Official Site (http://www.mxpx.com) | Official Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/mxpx) | Official PureVolume (http://www.purevolume.com/mxpx)Amazon MP3 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VFEO50?ie=UTF8&tag=absolutepun02-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001VFEO50)

[WhoSaidThat?]

Loved the HIMYM line. Hell, the whole review kicked ass. I'm checking this shit out.

[Chris Fallon]

Loved the HIMYM line. Hell, the whole review kicked ass. I'm checking this shit out.
Thanks buddy -- glad you caught my reference haha

[Nick Le]

Good review. This is such a fun record, love this band so much.

[btbam > you]

Why exactly is a Ramones cover by this band considered a "head scratcher"?

[Chris Fallon]

Why exactly is a Ramones cover by this band considered a "head scratcher"?
The song choice is -- not the band. It's just not one of their most recognizable or memorable songs, that's all.

[btbam > you]

The song choice is -- not the band. It's just not one of their most recognizable or memorable songs, that's all.
I don't know.. I love the original, so I love the song choice. I'm glad they didn't pick one of the most well-known Ramones songs as they did with the Clash. I think it's good for them to show people a side of the Ramones that others might not already be familiar with.

[Chris Fallon]

I don't know.. I love the original, so I love the song choice. I'm glad they didn't pick one of the most well-known Ramones songs as they did with the Clash. I think it's good for them to show people a side of the Ramones that others might not already be familiar with.
Yeah, you make a valid point. I don't particularly care for the song, but that's just me.

[refgirl23]

HIMYM... now that's exactly how I needed to start my morning. I'm going to turn it on to finish studying my fricking biochemistry.

Good review. Your reviews always amuse me.

[The Summer Ends]

Who's dick-ass who put this at all .25s on the user review?

[hectorial85]

Word.
I'm keen to check this out, but overall I think i agree with you. Half/half due to song choice.

[Alex DiVincenzo]

I was disappointed by this one. The band does fine emulating the verses, but most of these songs had pretty epic chorus, and when the covers get to them, they just seem lackluster. The Ramones cover was the highlight for me.

[Nap]

I also think "Bonzo" is the best track here, while "Suburban Home" lacks something and is not even good.

[fsmith84]

Am I the only one that likes the Queen cover?

[davey666]

Only mxpx fans would consider them as one of the godfathers of pop-punk.

[smelltheglove]

perfect review, my sentiments exactly, really, i agree with everything you said.

my favorite cuts are "i'm gonna be 500 miles", with it's tempo changes and inclusion of Cheap Trick's 'surrender' in the breakdown is sweet.

"vacation" is a perfect fit for them. and since i'm a big Poison fan (fuck off, they were the first band I ever really got into, i'm old), and "fallen angel" has alwasy been one of my fav. Poison songs, I dig the MxPx version.

the rest...eh...for fans only, and even then, maybe not. NFG's "from the screen to your stereo II" was much more enjoyable overall.

[Scott Weber]

I think the problem with this record is not the quality of performances as much as it is song selection. only half of these songs were worth covering, and some of the songs were bad to begin with, so it's hard for me to get into a cover version.

[thecobrakais]

i actually really liked their song choices and thought they were very fitting for them. i also like the fact that they didn't choose some songs that haven't been covered a billion times by other bands.

mxpx is and will always be my favorite band, so i'm a little biased, but i thought they did a great job with this record.

i can't really understand all of you complaining about the song choices. the queen and ramones covers are my two favorite on the album.

[combatchuckaa]

I think the problem with this record is not the quality of performances as much as it is song selection. only half of these songs were worth covering, and some of the songs were bad to begin with, so it's hard for me to get into a cover version.

Yeah, I agree.

[Scott Weber]

i actually really liked their song choices and thought they were very fitting for them. i also like the fact that they didn't choose some songs that haven't been covered a billion times by other bands.

mxpx is and will always be my favorite band, so i'm a little biased, but i thought they did a great job with this record.

i can't really understand all of you complaining about the song choices. the queen and ramones covers are my two favorite on the album.
Mxpx is my favorite band too. But I never want to hear Kids in America covered by anybody, let alone the original song. Or Heaven is a Place on Earth.

[Kid Defender]

geez, both the staff review and the member reviews are ridiculously low. What the hell?

[emokid333]

I'm not a big cover fan but I always like to give the cds one listen

[Scott Weber]

geez, both the staff review and the member reviews are ridiculously low. What the hell?
75% for a staff review isn't ridiculously low... it's not even low.

[thecobrakais]

Mxpx is my favorite band too. But I never want to hear Kids in America covered by anybody, let alone the original song. Or Heaven is a Place on Earth.
good point.

[trebmal]

Only mxpx fans would consider them as one of the godfathers of pop-punk.
Maybe... but in the early-mid 90s they were...along with blink-182 I suppose. I like this release a lot, my only complaint is it is too short. Also, Bryce singing that whole song did through me off, but it's cool.

Kids in America is a GREAT cover. I actually think it's one of my favorites on the CD.

[chordsforacure]

I don't get why you would consider some of the song picks as "head scratchers"... I'm pretty sure that the average person didn't know more than 3 of the songs covered on the Original On the Cover EP. It's not like NFG who I think really fucked up the greatness of the Screen to Stereo album by picking songs that while being IN a movie, weren't famous BECAUSE of the movie.

[Chris Fallon]

I don't get why you would consider some of the song picks as "head scratchers"... I'm pretty sure that the average person didn't know more than 3 of the songs covered on the Original On the Cover EP. It's not like NFG who I think really fucked up the greatness of the Screen to Stereo album by picking songs that while being IN a movie, weren't famous BECAUSE of the movie.
I only mentioned two as "head scratchers" and pointed out why -- and their previous EP contained well-known songs (more well-known than many of these). As for your NFG argument, it could go both ways. However, the songs they picked correpsonded with specific movies and went for the same throwback sentimentality MxPx is striving for. Not all those songs were instantly recognizable to all people unless they had seen the movies they were in accordance to.

Nothing wrong with this album except lack of familiarity and reliance on guest performers that contribute very little to the overall outcome.

[yourbudthestud]

I love this album. Just fun to listen to. Might not be the best album to ever come out...but its something different to listen to.

[Justin_stacy]

was really excited about this when I first downloaded it, but it hasn't really grown on me, and certainly didn't live up to the original.

Fallon I got to say i disagree on the Somebody To Love song, while I'm not really sure how I feel about bands covering Queen, I think they did a really nice job with the classic, much like they did with Hey Porter on the Johnny Cash tribute album.

[kittypants]

i thought the record was great! Coming from an MxPx fan since '97, I'd say this is their best release since TEPM and, since it's a covers album, that's saying a lot!

Will they ever make a good original record again?

[Scott Weber]

i thought the record was great! Coming from an MxPx fan since '97, I'd say this is their best release since TEPM and, since it's a covers album, that's saying a lot!

Will they ever make a good original record again?
Secret Weapon was excellent.

[Chris Fallon]

was really excited about this when I first downloaded it, but it hasn't really grown on me, and certainly didn't live up to the original.

Fallon I got to say i disagree on the Somebody To Love song, while I'm not really sure how I feel about bands covering Queen, I think they did a really nice job with the classic, much like they did with Hey Porter on the Johnny Cash tribute album.
I'm just not big on them recruiting Bryce to sing on it -- really doesn't feel like he belongs, and for me, it takes a lot away from it. Queen is a fun band to cover, and it would have been something to hear the band take on a harder song.

[Chris Fallon]

i thought the record was great! Coming from an MxPx fan since '97, I'd say this is their best release since TEPM and, since it's a covers album, that's saying a lot!

Will they ever make a good original record again?
What Scott said -- last record was one of their best.

[Kid Defender]

75% for a staff review isn't ridiculously low... it's not even low.

I think 75% and I think low score. I know I have seen a number of reviews on here that received that score but were described as good/great cds, but that never made a lot of sense to me.

[Scott Weber]

I think 75% and I think low score. I know I have seen a number of reviews on here that received that score but were described as good/great cds, but that never made a lot of sense to me.
It's not high school - when a movie gets 3 of 4 stars (75%) do you think it's a low score? It's not like 75% is a C or something.

[Justin_stacy]

I'm just not big on them recruiting Bryce to sing on it -- really doesn't feel like he belongs, and for me, it takes a lot away from it. Queen is a fun band to cover, and it would have been something to hear the band take on a harder song.
I just went back and relistened to it again and while I don't know who Bryce is (?), I don't think the song sounds out of place at all, and is in fact a great closer (one of Queen's greatest songs). If a song sticks out in terms of sound its got to be Heaven, which has an almost total lack of MxPx singing presence. :shrug:

[kittypants]

Secret Weapon was excellent.
It was great for about two weeks. Didn't have any staying power. None of their records besides LIG and SGWOTB have possessed that.

I think we've all changed our standards after the craphole that was BEAA and the disappointing Panic.

[Scott Weber]

It was great for about two weeks. Didn't have any staying power. None of their records besides LIG and SGWOTB have possessed that.

I think we've all changed our standards after the craphole that was BEAA and the disappointing Panic.
Speak for yourself. I thought Ever Passing Moment was a lot worse than Secret Weapon.

[Chris Fallon]

I just went back and relistened to it again and while I don't know who Bryce is (?), I don't think the song sounds out of place at all, and is in fact a great closer (one of Queen's greatest songs). If a song sticks out in terms of sound its got to be Heaven, which has an almost total lack of MxPx singing presence. :shrug:
Well, agree to disagree then -- Bryce is the vocalist throughout the song. He's in the Rocket Summer, a band I'm sure you're not too familiar with since I know you like more punk/alt-country stuff. Guess it's all just a matter of personal taste -- I mean, I'm glad you like it, I just find nothing redeeming about it at all.

[Justin_stacy]

Well, agree to disagree then -- Bryce is the vocalist throughout the song. He's in the Rocket Summer, a band I'm sure you're not too familiar with since I know you like more punk/alt-country stuff. Guess it's all just a matter of personal taste -- I mean, I'm glad you like it, I just find nothing redeeming about it at all.
Rocket Summer...indie rock? emo?

[therookielot]

I loved 500 miles.

[ninthandash]

i saw them play live the "I'm gonna be" cover fused with "surrender" and it was the coolest thing ever.

recorded, eh, not so much. a whole album of covers take away that fun element of surprise that covers are supposed to be live.

[kittypants]

Speak for yourself. I thought Ever Passing Moment was a lot worse than Secret Weapon.
EPM doesn't contain any of those songs that make you embarassed like "Top Of The Charts" or "Here's To The Life"

[Scott Weber]

EPM doesn't contain any of those songs that make you embarassed like "Top Of The Charts" or "Here's To The Life"
Really? Did you forget about "Next Big Thing?"

[panicbxmb]

i stopped reading the review when he said "Punk Rock Girl" was Dead Milkmen's "only worthwhile song."

wow man... they have at least 5 amazing albums, and a few stinkers. check out their discography before you deal a low blow to one of the classics.

[threepunchjim]

Loved the HIMYM line. Hell, the whole review kicked ass. I'm checking this shit out.
Haha I ate up that reference too. SLAPBET!

[Chris Fallon]

i stopped reading the review when he said "Punk Rock Girl" was Dead Milkmen's "only worthwhile song."

wow man... they have at least 5 amazing albums, and a few stinkers. check out their discography before you deal a low blow to one of the classics.
Never found anything they've done to be worthwhile -- too gimmicky and gets old after a couple listens. Music and opinion are subjective, so remember that. Just because you disapprove does not mean I haven't listened -- I just don't enjoy any of their work.

[Chris Fallon]

Rocket Summer...indie rock? emo?
Sorry, almost missed this post -- very poppy, based around a basic pop structure. If you like harmonies and melody-laden songs soaked in pop sweetness, that's what they are like.

[kittypants]

Really? Did you forget about "Next Big Thing?"
Hey, at least that song has Dave Grohl screaming "1,2,3, Go!" going for it.

[atticusfinch]

Yeah I was scratching my head at most of the songs on this CD. I wasn't overly impressed, and really, pretty disappointed with it. Could have been great.

[fadedmemories]

I'm curious to hear the song with Craig Owens.

[ExplodingStereo]

Thanks buddy -- glad you caught my reference haha
Scary thing is I just saw that episode for the first time then read your review. Very very weird stuff going on here...but I don't know about that godfathers statement. I don't/didn't think they had/have that much influence in their heyday or now. I might check this out though.

[Chris Fallon]

Scary thing is I just saw that episode for the first time then read your review. Very very weird stuff going on here...but I don't know about that godfathers statement. I don't/didn't think they had/have that much influence in their heyday or now. I might check this out though.
Sure, someone could tell me Green Day or The Offspring or even blink-182 popularized the genre itself -- but the pop-punk with emphasis on pop was MxPx's breakthrough sound and it never made them earn massive singles or platinum records, but it did expose the genre to kids everywhere. It's debatable, sure... but given that I was growing up in that time, from what I witnessed, I'd give them that title for being the first mainstream band of said genre.

[WhoSaidThat?]

Haha I ate up that reference too. SLAPBET!
Hypothetical high-five...

NICE!

[panicbxmb]

Never found anything they've done to be worthwhile -- too gimmicky and gets old after a couple listens. Music and opinion are subjective, so remember that. Just because you disapprove does not mean I haven't listened -- I just don't enjoy any of their work.
haha sorry man i didn't mean to be so harsh. i live where they're from, so they have a pretty decent following in my area. i get why they wouldn't be everyone's thing though.

i kind of jumped to conclusions that you didn't give them a chance, but obviously i don't know you or what you listen to. sorry i was a dick.

[Chris Fallon]

haha sorry man i didn't mean to be so harsh. i live where they're from, so they have a pretty decent following in my area. i get why they wouldn't be everyone's thing though.

i kind of jumped to conclusions that you didn't give them a chance, but obviously i don't know you or what you listen to. sorry i was a dick.
No, you weren't harsh or a dick at all -- I was merely explaining my stance a bit clearer for you to understand. They've been hometown boys for my part of the world, so maybe my opinion is a bit more lopsided, but given that I did indeed grow up in a time when pop-punk blossomed into what we know it as today, I feel like without MxPx, it would have been much different.

Are you from Bremerton? I see you live in Philly now, but did you used to live there?

[panicbxmb]

No, you weren't harsh or a dick at all -- I was merely explaining my stance a bit clearer for you to understand. They've been hometown boys for my part of the world, so maybe my opinion is a bit more lopsided, but given that I did indeed grow up in a time when pop-punk blossomed into what we know it as today, I feel like without MxPx, it would have been much different.

Are you from Bremerton? I see you live in Philly now, but did you used to live there?
oh you definitely misunderstood, i should have been way more clear.

i thought i was being a dick about Dead Milkmen, so i was talking about them in my last post. i live where they're from, and they've got a lot of fans in my area.

i've never lived in/near Bremerton, and sorry about the misunderstanding, haha.

[doppelganger]

eh the cd was worse than the first on the cover imo.

[Chris Fallon]

oh you definitely misunderstood, i should have been way more clear.

i thought i was being a dick about Dead Milkmen, so i was talking about them in my last post. i live where they're from, and they've got a lot of fans in my area.

i've never lived in/near Bremerton, and sorry about the misunderstanding, haha.
Oh okay haha -- yeah, my bad I did misunderstand that. It's all good -- we are cool as cucumbers.

[dingaling]

I LOVE Linda Linda! Unique and awesome cover!

[jlaatsch36]

I thought Should I Stay or Should I Go? was a great cover.