Nofx - So Long And Thanks For All The Shoes

MINE

So this is what the fuss is all about.  This is who does the definitive US ska-punk sound.  It's good, in fact it's very good.  But it's a pity that sound gets a bit repetitive to me after a while.

I think it's because most tracks have got that really fast beat, that I know I just wouldn't be able to keep up with after about, oh, two songs?  Even though each one only lasts about 2 minutes!  Anyway, now I know why YourZ likes these guys so much.  It's good music, played and produced well.  Pity I don't really like it.

VERDICT: TURN IT DOWN


YOURZ

First there was light.  And it was smashed by NoFX.  All the pretenders who came after them have been literally left in the dark by these punk stalwarts.  These guys are the real deal, defiantly giving the bird to major labels and MTV and managing themselves and their career without the usual aides and management teams for nearly 30 years. 

Their songs cover everything from politics and religion to domestic violence.  They are unapologetic, opiniated and talented to boot.  They make most other California punk bands look like pussys.  They live and breathe their music and, despite the lineup changes over the years, have become one of the most stable, truly independant acts in the world.

So Long... runs the gamut of their styles, from ska to melodic punk to sneery bursts of attitude all accompanied by their smart and sometimes smart-arse lyrics.  The opener, It's My Job To Keep Punk Rock Elite, is a perfect example of both.  Then there is the social commentary of Dad's Bad News, the punk love song, Champs Elysees, sung in French and the full-bore, fists in the air statement that is Murder The Government (no, they don't really mean it - well, not really).  The ska of Eat The Meek and 180 Degrees shows the depth of musical talent they have.  They really could be a truly great ska band, if they wanted.  Thankfully, they don't.

Perhaps the funniest part of the record comes about   seconds after the last track on the album, Falling In Love.  It is a recording of an actually radio show where, obviously, someone behind the scenes is a NOFX fan and had put up a single of theirs for airplay.  The comments from the DJ are hilarious. 

VERDICT: TURN IT UP


For more information: http://www.nofxofficialwebsite.com/

Lily Allen – It’s Not Me, It’s You

YOURZ

I like Lily Allen. She's a bit of a wild, spunky British babe who doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her potty mouth (especially Elton John). She's the daughter of Keith Allen, who played a very good version of the Sheriff Of Nottingham in a recent television adaptation of Robin Hood. Her mum's famous for some stuff too. If you’re interested, look it up yourselves.

Lily's also known for the occasional wardrobe malfunction in front of British press, not that she particularly cares. She has nice boobies and doesn’t mind flashing them. What’s not to like about that?

I liked her first record, 2006’s Alright, Still. The ska-flavoured pop tunes appealed to the old Mod in me and lyrically, she had her chops. It’s Not Me, It’s You continues where this left off except this time it's a musical mixed bag with roots buried deep in unabashed pop. She accompanies this with another set of acerbic lyrics aimed at people around her: girlfriends, boyfriends, siblings, her Dad, God or whoever. She's a role model for no one but herself and, unlike Amy Whinehouse (sic), has been able to handle all the shit thrown her way.

Mine is a big fan of Lily, particularly of this album. For me, there's not a huge deal of difference between the two. This, in most instances, wouldn’t necessarily be a good thing. In this case, however, it only adds to her charm. That and her boobies, of course.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

MINE

I love Lily Allen and I'm not ashamed to say so. But this love did not spring, fully-formed, from her debut Alright, Still in 2006 despite the album being purchased and highly recommended by YourZ.

No, it's her second album which has endeared the Cockney-toned diva to my ears, because it makes me cry. Every time.

It began on a drive home late one night after work, when my local radio station was featuring It's Not Me, It's You as its album of the week, doing a play-through with discussions about the songs. I came in about half way through at Never Gonna Happen and chuckled heartily over Fuck You. But then the tears began.

You see, unlike YourZ, I'm all about the lyrics. The tunes are fine, as long as they don't actually suck, but it's the words that run rings around my heart. And I got a bit teary over Who'd Have Known, because it reminded me of the first time YourZ and I actually hooked up after many years of acquaintanceship (it's a real word, I looked it up). Who'd have known?/ When you flash up on my phone/ I no longer feel alone. Ah, makes me choke up just writing that.

Then on to Chinese, which says - I don't want anything more/ Than to see your face when you open the door/ You'll make me beans on toast and a nice cup of tea/ And we'll get a Chinese and watch TV. Because this just perfectly encapsulates the ordinary moments of our days as a married couple that make for the most perfect and harmonious and... oh-my-god you guys are making me GAG fer gossake. Hum. Well, you ASKED. Or, no you didn't. I'm telling you. So there.

Him (which is about God) I cannot for the life of me sing out loud all the way through because of: Ever since he can remember people have died in his good name/ Long before that September/ Long before hijacking planes/ He's lost the will he can't decide/ He doesn't know who's right or wrong/ But there's one thing that he's sure of/ This has been going on too long Doesn't that make YOU feel sad and weird and teary? No? Just me I guess. Anyhoo, it has the best line ever written about God - I don't imagine he's ever been suicidal/ His favourite band is Creedence Clearwater Revival. Sad and laughing, in one song. Result.

And I can't even write about He Wasn't There. I (mis)quoted it at my dad's funeral recently: He was my hero in disguise/ I know he'll always love me very much/ I'll always be his little girl Brought the house down. And when I go and see Lily soon (solo because Your won't go with me) I bet I'll be howling when she sings this.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP (dance along, you'll laugh, you'll cry!)

Click here for more info: http://www.lilyallenmusic.com/lily/

In our collection, we also have Alright, Still