Sum 41 - Underclass Hero
Since signing a record deal in 1999, Sum 41 has released albums, live CDs, DVD's and sold millions of copies worldwide. In terms of sound, this release sees the lads return to their origins. All Killer No Filler was pure pop rock, Does this look infected bought Sum 41 to a heavier style while keeping the smooth harmonies, and Chuck, saw them take a new direction with a more serious mood and lack of humour. Stylistically, Underclass Hero marks a step in a bold new direction for the group with its unique blend of punk rock and a touch of metal, along the lines of the albums that started their career.
Underclass Hero is the first album to be released since the departure of bassist Dave Baksh in 2006, which along with other experiences are influences Deryck drew upon for writing the tracks. When writing, Deryck was forced to look deep inside and make the songs his most personal yet. 'Dear Father' deals with his absent father, 'So Long Goodbye' about Dave quitting the band, and 'Speak of the Devil' and 'Count Your Last Blessings' deal with his inner demons. The first single, 'Underclass Hero' was written through a thought of "us against them," something similar to previous lyrics, with a different angle; the song refers to society and the struggle of "high-class versus the underclass" instead of "the young against the adults" as in All Killer No Filler. 'March of the Dogs' is a controversial song with some very political and more mature lyrics (I don't believe in the politics/Of chosen fools and hypocrites). The first two lines "Ladies and gentlemen of the underclass/The president of the United States of America is dead" have had a massive negative response from supporters of George W Bush on the Internet. With all but one track written by Deryck (that one is by Stevo), his writing ability is a proven a hit. Within the sounds of this album there are different instrumental touches like the jingly pop intro to 'Dear Father', the piano which opens and closes 'Count Your Last Blessings', the harmonious acoustic guitar in 'Best of Me', 'So Long Goodbye' and 'With Me', which is slightly upbeat also.
Most the tracks on the new album are upbeat like the speeded-up punk track 'Underclass Hero'. Then there is the very up tempo song, 'Walking Disaster' which at the starts sounds like something you would find on a Blink 182 album - but the reference is lost as soon as it is thought when strong guitars and an infectious beat kicks in. other upbeat tracks include 'Pull the Curtain', 'King of Contradiction', 'Confusion and Frustration in Modern Times' and 'Look at Me'. Then you have 'The Jester', which is a song you can't help but tap your feet, even if you're not a fan of the genre.
One of the strangest of tracks to ever be heard on a Sum 41 album is the French 55 second long written by Stevo, and spoken by Deryck track 'Ma Poubelle'. Vocals from Deryck are first class from the opening of the album to the end of the hidden track 'No Apologies'. Whether he is lending his vocals on a ballad or an upbeat punk rock track, whether its in English or French he brings life to each note, and makes this an album you do not want to turn off.
Underclass Hero is over ten minutes longer than any previous Sum 41 albums as a result of there being fourteen (plus one hidden) tracks compared to twelve or thirteen on earlier albums. The length is also due to the majority of songs being much longer than the usual three minutes. As stated in the track 'Confusion and Frustration in Modern Times', "I broke the mirror to the past/To find what I was looking for." With this album Sum 41 were able to start a new and wipe the slate clean and this is Sum 41 at there best.