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Epitaph Records -- Millencolin

It just came to me. The Forces of Evil are fucking genius in their intentions.

They are trying to appeal to a younger crowd using a pretty eye-rolling gimmick that has the band's surname simply "Evil," overly simplistic, purposely immature, pointlessly vulgar lyrics, and cartoon-drawn animals being depicted on the liner notes in violent fashion (done by the Rock and Roll Villain) that asks "Just how much crack were you smoking?" But why, oh why, are these ex-members of Jeffries Fan Club and vocalist Aaron Barrett from Reel Big Fish shooting for the same demographic already being cock-slapped by numerous pop-punk bands at the moment? Answer: this particular market is too young to remember the revived period last decade when RBF themselves garnered fame with "Sell Out," and other bands like Less than Jake and Save Ferris flourished in the mainstream. So why not make an attempt at starting yet another wave?

Well, maybe because the formula is a little too ridiculous in some scenarios. They cover Van Halen's "Dance the Night Away" for chrissake, not to mention Suburban Rhythm's "Go to Hell" with enough bells and whistles to sedate even the most sagacious of cover-song disparagers. As is with RBF, we also, of course, have to have the "song with the cheesy girl vocals song," here it being "Independent."

Hell, the band themselves realize the silliness of this whole side project, with self-mocking lyrics like the part in "My Life" when Aaron sings, "I know you shouldn't rhyme shit with shit, but this is my song I'm gonna sing it how I want to sing it," though the song includes some nice-yet-underused rising vocal harmony overlapping. Some chorus excerpts read as follows:

This is the worst day of my life ("Worst Day")
I think we made a mistake but it's all right, I didn't like you that much anyway ("Mistake")
Maybe it's all right and I'm the one that's wrong, maybe if I die this sadness will be gone ("Maybe I'm Wrong")
She's independent, trys not to let it show, independent I hate that stupid ho ("Independent")

The music is competent itself, but blatantly derivative of the most poppy, straightforward RBF moments. Think Why Do They Rock So Hard? without any of the rap and reggae that occasionally surfaced, but then melded together with the mostly-mid tempo pace of Cheer Up!.

On the plus side, the musicianship itself is tight, and the horns are not only used plenty more than the fair share of proposed ska major-label releases we've seen lately, but are actually audible in the mixing levels.

"Fight" takes a swipe on the what's currently labeled the "emo" scene, asking "Whatever happened to the bands that make you dance and laugh so hard you nearly wet your pants? They want to be emotional and that's so boring, take out the fun and we're left snoring." At least the Orange County crew is definitely making an attempt to infiltrate the mainstream back with its horns cocked and ready to fire, regardless of the way this attack is planned.

Whether or not this will hit with the right promotion and single is the big question that hovers in the air.



People who liked this also liked:
NOFX - Wolves in Wolves' ClothingLess Than Jake - Hello RockviewBlink 182 - Take Off Your Pants and JacketGreen Day - InsomniacBlink 182 - Dude RanchGreen Day - DookieSum 41 - All Killer, No FillerRancid - ... And Out Come The WolvesLess Than Jake - Borders and BoundariesNOFX - Pump Up The Valuum



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    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 24, 2005 at 4:17 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    got milk ? :-) http://www.trinitytc.com/888/casino-directory-2005.html

    Posted by Sellout05 on 2004-07-28 20:21:24
    My Score:

    This record sounds like what should have been the bridge between RBF's "Turn the Radio Off" and "Cheer Up!" (Not to bash "Why do they Rock So Hard?" in any way) It's got the horns of "Turn the Radio off" and the ska riffs that i'm sure other RBF fans miss, but they also have some of the rock vibe given off of "Cheer Up!" The lyrics are very immature but you've come to expect that from Aaron. Great songs on this record that stand out (obviously) "Angry Anthem" "Fight" and "Dance the Night Away" Wish they would tour outside California. Overall a must-have for any RBF or JFC fan.

    Music is life, live a fun one, listen to SKA!

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 13, 2003 at 11:29 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Some teenage girls at my work were all taking endlessly about these guys today...lame.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2003-12-11 21:46:38
    My Score:

    I know Reel Big Fish don't exactly write Shakespearean sonnets but I still thought it was worth mentioning how weak they were.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 11, 2003 at 7:25 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "haha dose animals looke just like Jo Strumer! he suked!"

    umm... oh.. yeah.. ummm.. are you serious, i mean you can't even spell Joe Strummer correctly! umm.. oh.. what's wrong with you? That's pathetic.

    happy now? douche.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 11, 2003 at 4:06 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "I like how people pretend to know the Bee Gees."

    ...and why would anyone want to pretend to know the Bee Gees...?

    and on the review, the review would've been more convincing if there weren't so many lyrical references. Aside from a few bands (and this band is not one of them), ska lyrics are fucking pitiful. it's more about the music rather than the message

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 11, 2003 at 2:33 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    haha dose animals looke just like Jo Strumer! he suked!

    ------------------
    pouilleux@hotmail.com

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 at 6:00 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    you can't come inside when do the citizens kneel for sex it's heaven cumming on her chest hollywood babylon

    Posted by ZLNFTOC on 2003-12-10 14:30:45
    My Score:

    I would just die if Aaron ever covered xDxIx's "O.C. Life" and changed the chorus to "O.C. ska is just the type for me! Silly little horns! And happy little riffs for me!"

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 at 1:52 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    This record isnt about FoE and Aaron Barrett blowing up. Its about having fun, and trying to save the OC Ska scene.

    "I like the old ska scene. I miss it and I want to bring it back," says Aaron
    -from the FoE website.

    This is probably the 2nd best ska CD of the year, after Streetlight Manifesto.

    Posted by tzilla69 on 2003-12-10 11:39:22
    My Score:

    This endeavor can not be compared to "Turn the Radio Off" or even "Why Do They Rock So Hard?". Both albums were fucking rocko tits and had much better music on them. Maybe, just maybe, the lead singer Aaron Barret realized he destroyed Reel Big Fish with "Cheer Up" and is trying to ear fuck his way back onto the radio. We all miss the 3rd wave of ska, and now that the Bosstones are on "hiatus", there isn't going to be much left.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 at 6:43 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    "jessica simpson's in? shes hot"

    and stupid as fuck

    Posted by Jon_the_Skafather on 2003-12-09 23:28:05
    My Score:

    "but the cd cover sucks,especially considering their on a major label and should have money for some good art."

    the cd was originally released by aaron on his label piss-off records...the lable that originally did everything sucks. the artwork was all done by aaron. the album was done before it was released on a major label...it was released by a major for distro...not produced with major label money.

    Posted by thriceequalsgod on 2003-12-09 23:10:53
    My Score:

    superdude, i love the change up.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at 9:53 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    i have this bands ep, and i like it. just good ole fun ska.

    but the cd cover sucks,especially considering their on a major label and should have money for some good art.

    Posted by superdude on 2003-12-09 21:27:43
    My Score:

    Dear The Forces of Evil,

    How's it going anyways?

    Man, how did you guys get that pig to stand on a turtle without falling? That must be a smart pig, or a dead turtle.

    So here's the deal. I bought this album and accidently brought it to a PETA party, and when it fell out of my pocket, all these hippies saw it and got mad at me for promoting animal cruelty.

    They took it.

    What should I do?

    Worried in Canada,
    Superdude

    Posted by GregSka on 2003-12-09 20:08:56
    My Score:

    Can this really be a conspiracy to start a 14 year old ska revival? I refuse to believe I would buy into something that obvious! Anyways, I'm going back to playing Mary-Kate and Ashley: Licensed to Drive because you guys are so yesterday.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at 7:42 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "98 poopy and retarded"
    is that the group that the husband of jessica simpson's in? shes hot.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at 7:21 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    To me ska bands were the Simple PLans of 98 poopy and retarded

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at 7:20 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Ska music is so corny

    "Whatever happened to the bands that make you dance and laugh so hard you nearly wet your pants? They want to be emotional and that's so boring, take out the fun and we're left snoring."

    thats the worst attempt at an insult ever

    Posted by Imposs1ble on 2003-12-09 19:14:35
    My Score:

    I like how people pretend to know the Bee Gees. Admit that you know "Stayin' Alive," and that's about it. The Bee Gees best stuff isn't that disco crap, it's the stuff that can be found on "The Best of the Bee Gees." I recommend you check it out.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at 7:13 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    No monkeys are just plain evil. They're fucking scary as is - they don't need a weapon. Those eyes...

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at 7:08 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    ok, the bunny will stab you, the pig'll shoot you, the turtle will bite you, but what the fuck is the monkey gonna do. Eat a banana? That is either the stupidest or most diabolical monkey ever.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at 6:18 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I was in high school when RBF blew up with "sellout" and Forces Of Evil is just as fun and addictive as the ska-punk of back in the day. I listen to this album almost daily and i've had it since it came out. Fucking awesome.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at 5:55 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    If I knew animals that looked like that, I'd run away.

    Posted by skankin_in_the_pit on 2003-12-09 17:52:10
    My Score:

    These guys put on a good show, but this record just isn't very good. I'll be surprised if this band blows up.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at 4:54 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    i think the kid below me doesn't have any idea where he's talking about.
    get yourself some help kid. instead of
    making a fool out of yourself.

    haven't heard this.
    i'll probably have soulseek work that out for me.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at 4:38 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Ok .. let me get this straight, Reel Big Fish had a song called Baseketball!?! You're a bloody moron, first off it was Take On Me.. Secondly IT WASN'T EVEN THEIR OWN SONG TO BEGIN WITH!So before trying to pawn them off as some great cultural icon like the Bee Gees get you're facts straight, otherwise you'll be proven as a moron. Case and point!

    Posted by inagreendase on 2003-12-09 16:29:32
    My Score:

    Actually, one of the bus drivers here has NPR on whenever he does his routes, so I do usually get in a few minutes of it a day. Good stuff.

    -InaGreendase (wasn't having a bad day, just think the CD's too corny)

    Posted by ZLNFTOC on 2003-12-09 15:53:22
    My Score:

    About two days after "Cheer Up", I asked a friend, "So, you heard the new RBF yet?" His reply, "No, the stores didn't have it." Me, "Yeah, it's really weird because they don't really curse anymore." Sounds like Aaron might go back to Everything Sucks-era RBF angst after all. And the more I think about it, the more I think that RBF are kind of like the Bee Gees of the 90's ska revival only less, er, happy. "Sellout" was their "Stayin' Alive" and "Baseketball" was their "Saturday Night Fever."

    Posted by NoUse on 2003-12-09 14:42:26
    My Score:

    I've listened to one of their songs on the "Still Standing Ska Comp" and it is pretty good stuff.. def. comparable to RBF.

    Posted by Jon_the_Skafather on 2003-12-09 14:39:01
    My Score:

    i think the review was approached from a rather jaded point of view but at least it wasn't some pre-judged review...just one approached with a really bad attitude. did you have a bad day when you wrote this? maybe too much something corporate on the radio? listen to npr, it'll make your days much better.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at 2:13 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    This album is fucking great. Its addictive as hell. This review was pretty shitty though.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at 1:17 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I dig this band.

    You have a cute vocabulary Brian.

    - Scott
    http://www.local-felons.com/

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at 1:16 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I'd be too ashamed to buy that just because of the cover.