When I first heard Sum 41 I was spectacularly unimpressed.
It seemed to me they were a cut rate, low quality
version of another punk band with a two word name
partially composed of numbers (hello, Blink 182).
I have listened to Sum 41's albums, and it just doesn't
seem they're doing anything special. Sum 41 fans,
put down your torches and pitchforks and keep reading.
I'm getting to the point.
See, Sum 41 just sounds alot like Blink 182, one
of my favorit brat punk style outfits. Or they were,
until that abysmal piece of work they passed of as
their epynonymous LP which unsucessfully blended snotty
punk rock with emo. As a fan of Blink's previous albums,
I found their self titled album to be devastatingly
unsatisfying. That said, the student has become the
master.
"Underclass Hero" is the album Blink 182
tried to make and fell on their faces like a 14 year
old jumping his skateboard for the very first time.
"Speak Of The Devil" is a perfect blend
of punk angst and yearning emo. "Walking Disaster"
is a punk masterpiece that sounds more like it could
be an outtake from "Dude Ranch". The title
track is a punk anthem that comes across like a rally
cry, calling all underdogs to join rise up and riot.
Even the subdued tones of "Dear Father"
sound perfectly in place on such a punky album, coming
across as a Sex Pistols ballad (if there ever was
such a thing) as performed by the aforementioned Blink
182.
I know I've mentioned Blink 182 alot, but to say
Sum 41 is a clone of their punk predecessor wouldn't
be accurate. "Count Your Last Blessings"
has moments that are reminiscent of contemporaries
like Silverstein. "Ma Poubelle" is very
much a punk take on the Beatles. "Mark Of The
Dogs" has moments that smack of The Dead Boys.
What am I saying? Sum 41 may wear their influences
on their tattoo sleeved arms, but the influences heard
on this album span the hierarchy of the punch monarchy.
Sum 41 has managed to mix all these influences with
an odd combination of lyrical maturity and an adolescent
sneer that will set your parents' teeth on edge.
In my mind, Sum 41 has performed the impossible with
"Underclass Hero". A band I expected to
make a passable, but not really good, album has made
the best punk album I have heard this year. Sum 41
are now masters of their craft. "Underclass Hero"
deserves to be played in CD players, MP3 players,
car stereos and clock radios everywhere. Move over,
Blink 182. Sum 41 has come to claim the throne, and
are now the official kings of emotionally charged
brat punk. Long live the king!
Key Tracks: Every time I listen to this album I pick
a new favorite song. Each song is a well crafted gem.
Congratulations, Sum 41. I rarely enjoy an album this
much.
Reviewed by Jim McDonald |
