BE WARNED - THIS SUCKS

blink-182 is a poseur-punk band that strives for attention. Obvioiusly anybody who listens to this album has NO taste for music. All of the songs are about having sex when none of the

band member's balls have come out of their sacs.The album might

have nice sleeve art but the album itself is horrible. Try real punk bands like The Dead Kennidys or perhaps The Rammones. Kids,this music is for eight-year olds trying to act cool not teenagers with no music taste. Anybody who has bought this record has made a mistake. If you don't throw it away I'll bite you.

best after 'enema' blink

many people were anticipating what blink were gonna do to top off enema and i think TOYPAJ really did it even though it had less 'sucess' than enema i think this album is totally fantastic.anthem part 2 is a great way to start off the cd and its an awesome catchy song i also like all the extra hidden tracks i really liked 'hold on' really good blink buy it now !!!!!!!!!

Nothing to hold on to...we'll use this song to lead you on

Those words from "Reckless Abandon" could sum up my feelings after listening to "Take Off...". There's quite a bit of sameness musically and only a few songs have a really catchy hook. It's not awful...but in the end, you really get the impression of a handful of decent songs and a bunch of fairly average ditties.



HIGHLIGHTS:

"Online Songs" is a nice bit of teen post-breakup angst. He can't get over her because she's 'forgotten' to block him from seeing her screenname when she's online and flirting. "The Rock Show" is a great slice of life for teen misfits. While I was never a punk in high school, I can identify with the "my folks don't understand" sentiments while at the same time appreciating how naive I was then. "Shut Up" is a good portrait of a relationship that's over but each side is too concerned about proving they're "right" to cut their losses and move on. "Stay Together for the Kids" is a nicely bitter song about divorce from the kids' point of view.



LOWS:

"Anthem Part 2"'s complaint about society is facile at best, misguided at worst ("We really need to see this through/we never wanted to be abused/We'll never give up, it's no use/If we're f***ed up you're to blame"). It's the same mindset that gives us the endless parade of bratty teenagers blaming their parents on daytime talkshows. "Happy Holidays, You Bastard" is boring toilet humour...the type of music placed on CDs as a calculation to irritate parents so kids will think it's cool. At least when Bloodhound Gang does this sort of thing, they're usually somewhat witty with it.



BOTTOM LINE:

This band needs to show some lyrical progression beyond high school concerns if they're going to make a truly great CD. There are worse pop-punk bands out there...but there are better ones,too.



2 1/2 stars