Back in about ’99, MxPx were my favourite band. Infact they’re still in my top 10 all-time faves and one of the reasons why PT exists. ‘Slowly Going The Way…’ and ‘Life In General’ are all time classic pop-punk albums that any FOB or P!ATD fan should own to get an education in the genre. It saddened me to hear some of their later albums – most of the stuff post ‘The Ever Passing Moment’ has sucked – yet a return to Tooth and Nail and a return to the old production team gave me hope that ‘Secret Weapon’ would be a return to form.
And the truth is, it is a return to form. Granted, it’s nowhere near as good as the classics – nor is it up to par with ‘Everpassing’, but compare it to ‘Panic‘ and you’ve a world-beater on your hands. The band have re-discovered some of their pace and the quicker songs stand out and shine on this album. The opening two tracks are fast and furious with Yuri’s drumming back to the standards he set early in their career. Mike Herrera’s vocals are as solid as ever, the melodies catchy and the choruses as singalong as you’d expect them to be.
‘Top of the Charts’ and ‘Shut It Down’ are highlights, mainly because they’re quicker than some of the mid-paced plodders on this record, while ‘Drowning’ is arguably the best song the band have penned in five years. ‘Never Better Than Now’ isn’t far off that accolode either. ‘Secret Weapon’ weighs in at 16 songs and the majority of these are pretty good. Old-skool fans will welcome back a band that has influenced so many more popular groups over the years. Good Charlotte owe their existence to this band, for instance. A return to form – welcome back MxPx.