This is an open forum for staff members, contributers, and fans alike to submit their reviews on the latest music releases and concerts. In an industry that is drowning with overprocessed, grossly overrated, unoriginal crap these days, this is our chance to allow the real stars to shine, if only on our humble, little stage; and expose you to some of our favorite talents.
Reviews are given 1 - 5 stars.
1. Underclass Hero
2. Walking Disaster
3. Speak Of The Devil
4. Dear Father
5. Count Your Last Blessings
6. Ma Poubelle
7. March Of The Dogs
8. The Jester
9. With Me
10. Pull The Curtain
11. King Of Contradiction
12. Best Of Me
13. Confusion And Frustration In Modern Times
14. So Long Goodbye
While I can hardly be called an expert on all things Sum 41, I’ve always enjoyed the Canadian punk rock act’s songs. Their latest effort, Underclass Hero, is a substantial collection of punk rock anthems mixed with a few ballads thrown in to exhibit the bands’ personal growth, and with every listen, the album grows on me more.
I enjoyed the title track immensely. It’s got a great guitar riff, catchy vocal melodies and a punk attitude that bring me back to when I first heard “Fat Lip” and thought to myself, ‘hey, this is good stuff.’ Interestingly enough, I found a lot of similarities between “Fat Lip” and “Underclass Hero.” Singer/guitarist Deryck Whibley expresses typical Sum 41 attitude with lines like “It’s us against them/we’re here to represent/and spit right in the face of the establishment” and “We won’t be bought and sold just like you.” Bassist Cone McCaslin offers up his dissent through solid backing vocals while drummer Steve Jocz supplies the backbeat.
While their previous releases seem to conjure up influences from 80’s metal acts (“Maiden and Priest were the gods that we praised” they sang in “Fat Lip”), a good amount of the tunes on Sum 41’s newest offering, such as “Dear Father,” “March of the Dogs,” and “Walking Disaster,” remind me of something the defunct Blink 182 might have written, from the vocal melodies to musical arrangements. This isn’t necessarily a negative thing, but the similarities were striking enough to note.
“March of the Dogs” is a fast paced, politically charged number that begins with the proclamation, “Ladies and Gentlemen of the Underclass, the President of the United States of America is dead.” While some may be turned off by the song’s strong political slant, it’s hard to deny the song is a hook-laden, well crafted tune that makes for one of the album’s strongest and most energetic tracks. Likewise, “King of Contradiction” and “Confusion and Frustration in Modern Times” are high octane tunes that seem to be over too soon, but are nevertheless two standout tracks.
While the majority of the album is upbeat, Underclass Hero does have its subdued moments. “With Me,” is a great ballad that commences with an acoustic guitar and the lyrics, “I don’t want this moment to ever end where everything’s nothing without you.” The drums and bass join in and build toward an emotional declaration set alongside the inevitable burst of distorted guitars and heavy chorus music.
“Best of Me” is a sincerely written ballad and still retains the band’s trademark edge. “I know that I can’t take back all of the mistakes but I will try,” sings Whitelby apologetically. The most notable of the ballads is “So Long Goodbye,” which begins with an acoustic guitar and Whitelby singing to Dave Brownsound, the band’s recently departed guitarist. “We always knew it’d come to this,” he sings in one of album’s most honest moments.
While Sum 41’s Underclass Hero is not groundbreaking, and does have a few throwaway tracks, overall it is a fun collection of punk rock tunes worth a listen for any fan.
Reviewed by: Ryan Labbe | August 2007
