Sum 41 "Chuck" (2004)

 

Initially, the Canadian Pop Punk outfit Sum 41's fourth outing was supposed to be the most exciting! Hailed as their most metallic release, I was keen on seeing how their Pain For Pleasure and Reign In Pain tributes to classic Metal would manifest with a prominent roll. With their warm, poppy personalities stripped out, replaced by a glum tone looming over the record, the music isn't as appealing without that bright, upbeat streak of Skate Punk. Softly depressive, gently downtrodden and moody, the metallic pursuit leads the music to an angsty self-defeatist tone I failed to vibe with.

Given previous manifestations in the spirit of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Metallica, I was expecting more of that! The latter of which you do hear on occasion. Oddly, its the then dead Nu Metal genre that has its influences. The catchy lyrical cadences of Chester Bennington is obvious at times. More so Papa Roach of all bands. Many distinctive arrangements from Infest, both vocal and guitar driven, make themselves known, as well as a riff from System Of A Down. When turning to Metal, originality clearly is lacking and the chopping between contrasting styles is far from fluid.

Disappointed by the glum tone of Nu Metal influences, the Punk leanings get dragged along in that dreary spirit. The riffs are not as bright and chirpy, lyrics lack an emotional resolve once heard before and ultimately its mood is a drag. Of course it has its merits, catchy choruses and the occasional riff but I found myself pulled into those hopeless teenage moods id rather forget. You could say its personal bias however I'd defend how naked some of their musical compositions are in the shadows of others. It drowned out originality and left a sense of disappointment with me.

Rating: 5/10

Sum 41 "Does This Look Infected?" (2002)

 

I've had nothing but fun with this cheap and cheerful record! Following up on a massive breakout with All Killer, No Filler, the Canadian Pop Punk outfit keep things simple and straightforward with a fraction of polish around the edges. Fast and fiery, the forty minutes of Does This Look Infected? storms out the gate with all energy intact. Keeping one foot on the gas, the band blaze through the motions with moments of dazzle and creativity as crafty vocal cadences, harmonies and interchanging guitar arrangements seem to frequently add spice to the mold these songs are cast from.

Lyrically, a similar sense of unrealized maturity emerges. The youthful angst, anger, adrenaline and notions of identity expressed get caught in a web of casual language. All to often does a streak of self awareness seem to offer a subtle antidote to teenage woes. It perhaps something I could of done with myself in those painful years. The only cheese I smelt came through their fun Beastie Boy raps, taking shots at the conformists suits! An amusing topic but one that seems far more relevant in youth.

The group have a streak of Heavy Metal adoration best pronounced with their Pain For Pleasure tribute. On this outing, Reign In Pain, the "Heavy Metal Jamboreee", follows this up and extends the style shift with World War 7 Part 2 to close the record out. These are significantly unpopular songs acording to Spotify but on the popular tunes, Still Waiting, No Brains, Mr.Amsterdam Billy Spleen, one can hear injections of classic Thrash Metal guitar riffs swiftly sliding into the solid Pop Punk structure.

Obviously, this is a delight to me. I do find it interesting how blunt of a Metallica riff they can just push into the albums biggest song... and it works! A lack of familiarity has aided greatly with this one, the lack of knowing and detachment of youthful memories was a breath of fresh air. I am sure this journey will get more exciting with the next installment, Chuck. I'm told it takes a much bigger shift towards Metal.

Rating: 7/10

Sum 41 "Half Hour Of Power" (2000)

  

Released a year prior to All Killer, No Filler, the Canadian Pop Punkers debuted with this mini album, Half Hour Of Power. Its another suitable title to represent what awaits as the blaze though eleven fast and furious chops of bright, melodic, teenage Punk. Interspersed with brief stints from other genres, the group gather some distinction. Opening with Grab The Devil By The Horns, the original working of Pain For Pleasure, they may mislead with classic Heavy Metal leads, screams and riffs deployed as weapons of choice for the opening act. Its this metallic inclination that crops up again with spouts of aggression heard on T.H.T and Ride The Chariot To The Devil.

With a fun and goofy pivot, each of the lads showcase their Beastie Boys imitation raps on What We're All About. Its upbeat, tongue in cheek and a great laugh however Second Chance For Max Headroom's doesn't yield the same. Pivoting away from its dexterous, metallic, melodic leads that blaze away with pace, the switch into Ska as trumpets arrive on a new groove, was certainly less desirable. Its probably the one blemish were thees guys excel at having tremendous fun with their influence, which they put front and center.

Otherwise its mostly straight Pop Punk with great upbeat vibes. The lyrics release youthful grievances and teenage troubles against the backdrop of fast tempered drum grooves and power chord strumming. Most these songs could be interchanged onto All Killer, No Filler. Summer being the one song that made it over and I wouldn't say its the best on the record. Makes No Difference feels like single material, capturing that energy of Fat Lip and In Too Deep. The difference is the recording fidelity. This was obviously recorded on a lower budget yet the music overpowers as its thirty minutes are a blast!

Rating: 6/10

Sum 41 "All Killer, No Filler" (2001)

Talk about a blast from the past, my teenage days of lounging on the couch after school, watching MTV for hours on end have returned so vividly! As one of Pop Punk's best offerings, the four friends of Sum 41 rose to prominence off the back of two massive singles, In Too Deep and Fat Lip. Both songs still sound fantastic to this day. Banging out the warm bouncy riffs, fun light hearted raps and instantaneously catchy hooks, these songs are so hard not to like, which brings me to musical elitism.

I remember loving these songs, as well as Pain For Pleasure, immensely. I'm also positive I had this record and one other of theirs in my collection. I am guessing as my tastes turned darker and harder, my naive youthful elitist Metalhead mind purged this "pop music" from the archives. Now a couple decades on from those years, I'm quite fond of hearing Pop Punk of that 00s era whenever it happens to pass me by.

Either Green Day, The Offspring or Blink 182, which I supposedly hated at the time, I can't deny my love of their songs I'd heard on the Tony Hawks Pro Skater soundtracks over and over again. Spending time with All Killer No Filler hasn't exactly increased my appetite for the genre, in fact its the same as I remember but at least now I can enjoy the warm fuzzy feelings these guys extract for suburban teenage problems.

As the title suggests, the band blitz through their ideas on a string of briefer three minute songs. Its fast, lean and sharp, with mouthy attitudes shouting off. Its not aimed at anyone, or with any malice. The tone is bright, sunny and upbeat. Its vibes get interspersed with fast tempos, choppy riffs and fun aggression, a typical chemistry for the genre. Most these songs lyrics have the finger keenly on the pulse of ones own emotions, relationships and mental health. A term not in the vocabulary of the times.

Despite being keenly introspective, it all tends to be ankle deep and light hearted, straight forward expressions, often airing out grievances and frustrations over suburban teenage issues, all with a decent spirit. Strangely I didn't find much of the lyrics cringe or typically angsty, the sort you'd find in embarrassing reflections on youthful ignorance. Even the anti conformity lyrical chants of Fat Lip hold up.

Lastly, Sum 41 have a slightly metallic edge. It doesn't manifest often, one or two "heavy riffs" and blazing guitar solos nod to their other influence. They give a wonderful tribute to Judas Priest with the albums closer Pain For Pleasure. Its quite possibly one of the best executed imitations of Priest you'll ever hear. It gives credit to the musicianship of these individuals who step into a genre easy to emulate yet hard to rise to the top of, which they did if you count music sales and chart success as a measurement. I've always been curious about doing a dive into Pop Punk but my time with this record didn't connect deeply. Had I gravitated to it in my youth, I'm sure I'd consider this a classic!

Rating: 7/10