Worlds Scariest Police Chases - NOFX and Out come the Wolves Dookie
I think somewhere deep inside us all hides that little soft spot we all have for a bit of good punk rock, which is what makes World's Scariest Police Chases new album so immediately irresistible. As with all good punk rock it's not about pitch perfect, xfactor style vocals but being able to shout passionately enough to get a crowd of people to join in with you. This is something which vocalists Andy T and Paul Blart seem to have no problem with. This is the sort of album that if you close your eyes and listen carefully you can almost feel that unexpected crowdsurfer kicking you in the back of the head, and smell the sweat of 500 beer fuelled people crammed into a tiny venue, all shouting the words back.
Opener Blackin' In isn't a lyrical masterpiece I'll admit that, with the song consisting mostly of the repeating of the chorus and shouts of "Fuck The Man". A song which pretty much sums up the entire attitude of this album. A love of partying and drugs, and a hate of authority, an attitude shared by nearly every teenager ever to exist, though maybe without the drugs part.
The controversially titled Gay Jesus For President on the surface could be seen as the band having a bit of a laugh at religion, but if you look deeper into the lyrics it could actually be a song with a semi-serious point. On top of that, with an abundance of crashing symbols and slamming guitars, it's not half bad to listen to either.
Surprisingly, this is one of very few albums which doesn't mention the 'L' word. No song about falling in love with a beautiful girl, or hating her guts because she broke their heart. Which in my opinion is wonderfully refreshing when these days it's hard to find a song on the radio that isn't about love or sex.
Worlds Scariest Police Chases have taken the key ingredients for a good punk album and laid them out, sometimes rather obviously on a plate. A band who really have listened and learned, but what's so wrong with that? They don't shy away from comparisons, they embrace them. I mean their album title alone references 3 other bands. Worlds Scariest Police Chases seem like a band who are just out to make music and have a good time, as simple as that. And on this record they're doing it pretty damn well.