Randy

Randy: Welfare ProblemsWelfare Problems (2003)
Burning Heart

Reviewer Rating: 4.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: SatanicSurferzSatanicSurferz
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on May 9th 2003Legend: TNWWGFI = There's no way we're gonna fit in RIS = The rest is silence YCKAGBD = You can't keep a good band down HAB = The human atom bombs WP = Welfare problems Here's the lastest release from these Swedish guys. What is great with this band is that they change their sound on every re.

Legend:
TNWWGFI = There's no way we're gonna fit in
RIS = The rest is silence
YCKAGBD = You can't keep a good band down
HAB = The human atom bombs
WP = Welfare problems

Here's the lastest release from these Swedish guys.
What is great with this band is that they change their sound on every record. From a punk rock sound on TNWWGFI, to a more heavy sound on RIS (Propagandhi-style), to a more melodic/catchy sound on YCKAGBD and finally to a rock 'n' roll sound on HAB. WP is much like HAB or Cheater as it's still a rock 'n' roll sound, but is different. The singers' voices are more "blury" (don't know exactly how to describe that) and so the guitars. And they use keyboard sounds in many songs. I was so surprised the first time I heard HAB, it was so different from what they did before. But they manage to surprise me again with WP. While it's a lot closer to HAB that HAB was to YCKAGBD, you'll noticed some differences.

Sandout tracks include "A Man In Uniform" (they are doing a video for this one) about the riots in Gothenburg 2001, where one man got shot by the police. "X-Ray Eyes", the slowest song on the album. The first time I heard it, I thought it was an awful song, but now, I really like it. "Cheater" is also on the "Cheater" EP, but this is a different version of this song (even better). As you may already know, most of the songs have political/socially aware lyrics ("Welfare Problems", "Dirty Tricks" just to name a few), but it's less evident than on their previous releases. There's no weak track!

The only negative aspect of this CD is that there's only 12 songs, which is kinda short. And I think the lyrics are not as good as on HAB. Give it many listens before judging it. It took me a long time to fully appreciate it.

In the end, this is another wonderful release by Randy (not as good as HAB, but close). If you didn't like HAB or Cheater, don't even listen to this one. But if, like me, you think that HAB was a masterpiece, go get Welfare Problems! It seems that these guys can do no wrong.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

blood-guts-punkrock (September 8, 2011)

Remember this from Punk-O-Rama years back, hated them but heard them again after a few years and loved them

Anonymous (March 7, 2006)

favorite randy cd by far

Anonymous (June 18, 2005)

Ewww, I've seen this band twice (3 times in november) with no choice(support band). They really are fucking annoying and you can't undestand a word they say. They got more chance of waking the dead then making the crowd exited at gigs.

They're even worse than the Hives...

kipknot (December 29, 2003)

the first time I heard this record, I didn't like it that much, but now when I listen to it again, I really begin to like it

Anonymous (May 12, 2003)

I'm just giving him a hard time for dissin' Randy, yo. No, I have nothing against Propagandhi. Just not my thing.

FortyMinutesWest (May 11, 2003)

There's nothing wrong with Propagandhi, they do more techincally with 3 members then alot of bands do with 5.

Anonymous (May 11, 2003)

WORST BAND EVER

This is not an uneducated reply, I saw them almost 2 years ago with Propagandi and they sucked so much ass...

yeah but you like propagandhi.

inagreendase (May 11, 2003)

lol = lol
p = parodies
a = are
f = funny
o = ok
i = i
k = killed
it = it

lolpaf.
oikit

Anonymous (May 11, 2003)

WORST BAND EVER

This is not an uneducated reply, I saw them almost 2 years ago with Propagandi and they sucked so much ass...

:[Chris]:

Anonymous (May 10, 2003)

this is like human atom bombs lite.

so if you dont have atom bombs, skip this and get that. and if you have it, dont get this unless you forget atom bombs.

wyzo

Mikeshitter (May 10, 2003)

Y = Yes

Y.

Mikeshitter (May 10, 2003)

I = is
T = this
B = Better
Th = Than
THAB = The Human Atom Bombs
? = ?

ITBThTHAB?

Melvyl (May 10, 2003)

"the riots in Gothenburg 2001, where one man got shot by the police"

yeah...right...

uneducated bastards.

it was 5 days filled of rioting and they destroyed practially everything, and yes, one man got shot by the police, but the rioteers shot atleast 7 people themselves. that's a fact.

Anonymous (May 9, 2003)

This is the best band on earth. You cant keep a good band down is one of the best punk rock records of the 90's . I don't know why epitaph isen't promoting this band more. This record took a few listens to get used to .....but now I'm fuckin Hooked. Best song is welfare problems and x-ray eyes.

StratManX (May 9, 2003)

ignore me, i'm a god damned moron.

StratManX (May 9, 2003)

Randy is awesome...wasn't the key kinda pointless since you only said each one once...good album

Anonymous (May 9, 2003)

It is hard to describe the way this album sounds, but I don't think the reviewer did a very good job trying. Still, he appreciates Randy, and that makes him badass.

Anonymous (May 9, 2003)

Not trying to be redundant, but being, this album does take a while to get into. I d/led a copy back in March and was practically ecstatic but listening to it I was dissapointed. The only song I really enjoyed was "X Ray Eyes" (mostly because of the "Oh, ah, oh ah a" parts). I listened to it for awhile and found myself enjoying particular songs more ("My Heart, My Enemy" in particular, which is still my fave song on the album (which contains my favorite Randy lyric "SOMETIMES I’LL BE HAPPY, HAPPY AND ECSTATIC/ BUT MORE LIKELY I’LL BE DRUNK AND DRAMATIC") and "We're All Fucked Up More or Less"). But now I literally love the album, every song, sure I have favorites but every song I like listening too same thing with You Can't Keep A Good Band Down but different from Human Atom Bombs where the sloppier songs have never caught my fancy. On the whole I still believe HAB is the best Randy album but I do wish they would return to the literal, front and center politics of YCKAGBD.

I can't wait till they tour Canada, the only fuckin' thing which would be better is if it was with Propagandhi!

Anonymous (May 9, 2003)

Yep. At first I found myself skipping around the CD just kind of lost in all the noise...fast forward 2 weeks and the album isn't leaving my car. But then again, all my favorite albums have been like that for the most part.

hungryjoe (May 9, 2003)

You hit the nail right on the head. This release takes longer to appreciate than HAB did....a dozen listens, and it's still sinking in. I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt because HAB and YCKAGBD are two of my favorite CDs.

"My Heart, My Enemy", is one of the best songs I've heard in a while.