NoFx
Pump Up The Valuum
2000
Oh this blows. There is no doubt that NOFX are one of the leading purveyors of pop-punk, but by their extremely high-standards this is very, very disappointing.
I’m a big NOFX fan, so I was excited about listening to their latest release. ‘The Decline,’ ‘So Long…’ and ‘Punk In Drublic’ are all excellent albums, but ‘…Valuum’ is just a cobbled together version of these three. Try to find a song on this album which NOFX haven’t already done. It’s very hard…
I’m being ultra critical because NOFX are talented enough to produce outstanding albums consistently. But ‘…Valuum’ has all been seen before, and although it may sound good to begin with, has little staying power.
‘What’s The Matter With Parents Today,’ ‘Clams Have Feelings Too,’ and ‘Bottles To The Ground’ are all decent enough, but to be honest it’s hardly groundbreaking stuff. Vocally it is as good as ever, with the harmonies top-notch.
But it is just so bland. ‘And Now For Something Completely Similar,’ ‘Take Two Placebos and Call Me Lame,’ and ‘Herojuana’ are all piss-poor. It’s just the same NOFX riffs borrowed from their back catalogue.
We all know NOFX are far better than this, so avoid it. It’s not completely rubbish, but you’d have to be a complete die-hard to really get your kicks from this.
Paul Savage