Search - Nofx :: Coaster

NOFX - Coaster

L. J. Penglase | allentown PA | 04/28/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Marking their 25th Anniversary as a band, "Coaster" is the 11th release by punk rock legends NOFX. The title is a cheeky reference to the direction the music industry is taking where compact discs are becoming obsolete and not much good to many people except as something to rest your drink on.



I must admit I was excited at the beginning of this month when I found out that in addition to Anti-Flag, Rancid, Bob Dylan, Green Day and many other bands that I enjoy, NOFX would have a new album to kick this summer off. I rushed to the record store right after work and picked up my copy for a steal: $8.



Over the last couple of years and albums, NOFX has embraced their old age, alcoholism and "career" as a punk band and renderred songs on these subjects that range from hilarious ("60%," "Mattersville," "Theme From A NOFX Album") to bland ("Wolves In Wolves Clothing.") "Coaster" is no different, and fans will find few surprises within it's twelve tracks. "First Call" is a festive celebration of the morning after being no reason to stop the party, "Best God In Show" mocks the simple mentality of blind faith in religion, "The Agony Of Victory" is yet another send up of the band's ever-growing age; all firmiliar subjects, packed with a few new twists on the jokes.



As a complete product, the album is enjoyable, though not remarkable. The instrumentation is very good, as would be expected, the production is clear, though not slick (which is definitely on purpose, as the band thanks many early punk bands by name in the liner notes as inspiration over the years) and the songs are catchy without being too bubble gum-y. As far as NOFX albums go, it won't go down in history as ground breaking by anyone's standards, but I'm sure they didn't intend it to. NOFX has not been a band seeking to expand its audience beyond the core that's already on board, and so "Coaster" is not a failure at all, it is just another chapter in the story of an aging punk band."

An average album, nothign better

duffman13 | 05/19/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"As a longtime NOFX fan, this album reeks of a lack of effort. They really show that they've gotten too political in recent years and since bush is gone they have no material to sing about. Even their relatitively bad albums like Pump up the Valuum have had 4 or 5 songs that make me want to pop the CD in or at least put them on a punk playlist, not so. The only song I somewhat enjoyed was One Million Coasters.



I hate saying this but i feel like they haven't made a real effort since heavy petting zoo."

NOFX does it again

Nick Colosi | Chesterland, OH, USA | 05/04/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"And by "it" I mean they put out another mediocre album. It's been three years since Wolves came out, which was mediocre, and here it's easy to tell that they probably spent two and a half years writing absolutely nothing and then threw this together. It follows the same formula as most NOFX; it opens with a bang, laying down some fist pumping rock tunes on songs like "We Called it America" and "The Quitter" but after that it all falls apart into slow tempoed reggae-ska beats with over the top lyrics. NOFX are best when they are bashing the government or organized religion, and of course they do that here on songs like "Blasphemy" but when they're singing about how much Fat Mike loves lesbians I kinda get turned off to the music because the whole premises is overwhelming and sometimes annoying. As far as music goes, it's pretty well put together, with Eric and Heffe throwing some slick guitar and Mike doing a nice bass riff here and there. This album would be a lot better if it was faster and the lyrics were more inspired. Not saying this is absolutely awful, it's up to par with their latest releases since "Pump Up the Valuum" but it's just not something that's going to blow your mind seven times over."