| To say that NUFAN has been around for a while is an understatement. They have been blasting the punk
scene for the better part of 2 decades and after around 8 full lengths, 3 EPs, and several reissues
(including a greatest hits), No Use For A Name is back with their latest effort "The Feel Good
Record Of The Year." This record was said to have elements from the bands earlier works and that
would be a nice retreat from where the band has been too lately, so let’s jump right in to it.
In old NUFAN style, they come out swinging in traditional fast paced punk rock fashion. Harmonic
voices and timed drums are the icing on this classic punk cake as swift guitars and racing bass
lines flow with ease. I must say that while I listened to punk rock back in early high school the
most, NUFAN has always kept a benchmark that most other bands have had to meet for me to accept them
and this CD is no different, as it lives up to my expectations and even surpasses them in some
songs.
Speaking of songs, there are 14 average length songs that compile to form a fairly healthy record.
Bill Stevenson & Jason Livermore (who have produced albums for the Descendants and Rise Against)
feel like a perfect fit for the band, where their quick natured punk and slower paced rock can
flourish. The lyrics are also more relatable and have a sense of experience to them (as they should
because NUFAN as been around forever).
I've waited 3 years for this new full length and I will have to say that I am very impressed by this
record, it does follow a familiar formula but that isn't a big problem. "The Feel Good Record Of The
Year" truly does feel like its title because of how upbeat and jumpy it is. If you are fans of
punk bands like Lagwagon, Millencolin or the like then you should already know NUFAN, but just in
case you don't, check these guys out. This feels like a fun album made by fun people who don't look
at music making as a chore but rather as a vacation. Awesome.
~ Pernell
April 14 2008 |
