SNFU

SNFU: In The Meantime And In Between TimeIn The Meantime And In Between Time (2004)
Rake

Reviewer Rating: 3.5

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Contributed by: adamAdam
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Published on January 11th 2005It's been a long time since we've had new material from SNFU. An EP on Alternative Tentacles in 2000 was the most recent, and if you're looking for a proper full-length, you'll have to dig up FYULABA from 1996. That's a huge span of time, musically speaking, but the long running prairie / west coast.

It's been a long time since we've had new material from SNFU. An EP on Alternative Tentacles in 2000 was the most recent, and if you're looking for a proper full-length, you'll have to dig up FYULABA from 1996. That's a huge span of time, musically speaking, but the long running prairie / west coast Canadian punk act haven't let the break dull their edges and In The Meantime And In Between Time is a solid addition to their catalogue.

In particular, the first five tracks on the record are together some of the most distinctive punk rock released in 2004. "Cockatoo Quill" and "Cheap Transistor Radio" would each make fine singles and prominently showcase the strengths of the band's songwriting, in particular Marc Belke's propulsive yet playful guitar work and Mr. Chi Pig's defiant, humorous, and oddly insightful lyricism. "Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump," with its bizarre narrative and memorable chorus, ranks among my favourite SNFU material. Things veer off into stranger territory with "I Think Fine Art's Fine," a tribute (of sorts) to Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, but the off-kilter sense of humour is classic SNFU and a welcome dynamic on the record. Throughout the album the band respectably manages to balance the lighter material with more serious subject matter and very rarely falls too far to one side or the other.

Not all the material maintains such a high level of quality though, and the second half of the record seems less engaging than the start. It's the combined effect of a rather unrelenting pace and the fact that the two weakest songs on the album are sequenced one after the other. "Der Heavy Head Dance" and "The Birdman Of Malmo" are unfortunately each too incessant and lyrically uninspired to keep the momentum up, particularly when compared to the superior material that they're packaged with. On the whole, however, there's more that's good about this record, and interesting tracks like "One Legged Bridge Jumper Breaks Good Leg In Plunge," and "Elaine Elaine" outweigh the momentary sags.

As the first release on the band's own Rake Records, this album marks a stage in SNFU's history that mirrors the one taken by their countrymen in D.O.A., that is that the band will continue to release interesting music, but on their own terms and out of the spotlight their prior Californian labels afforded them. However, don't let the lack of press hype hold you back, as In The Meantime And In Between Time is a welcome return and well worth the effort in acquiring.

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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.

Anonymous (January 18, 2005)

not only does this album kick ass, it even comes with a sticker.

i love stickers.

Anonymous (January 15, 2005)

yo, fucking skip this and shell out for the re-issue of Poison Idea's "Feel the Darkness" LP.

-Ken

Anonymous (January 13, 2005)

And for those who aren't from Alberta and are wondering where the title came from, "In the meantime and in between time, that's it for another edition of Stampede Wrestling" was the sign off for the TV wrestling show's commentator, Ed Whelan, who died a little while back.

And for those who've never heard of Stampede Wrestling, it was started by Stu Hart, the father of all those Hart boys who became famous in the US pro wrestling circuit.

Another interesting note is that although "Let's Get it Right the First Time" is purported to be a live album, it was actually recorded in a studio and the crowd noises were added later.

This album is a great return to form after all that Epicrap, IMHO.

Anonymous (January 13, 2005)

French Fries were created in Belgum, not France.

Anonymous (January 13, 2005)

Score is for "The Birdman of Malmo" that song is great how could you dis it bitch!

Anonymous (January 13, 2005)

I picked this up in Vancouver last week on holiday. It's fucking brilliant, definitely back on form a la "Something Green and Leafy"... I thought the last one on Epitaph was not that great, but this is fucking excellent. Together with the new MDC album, you've got two of the best albums of 2004 right there.

Monk Dave.
http://www.thenewestindustry.com

adam (January 12, 2005)

Yeah I didn't include it because it was live. I was thinking of studio material.

-adam

Anonymous (January 12, 2005)

you forgot about "let's get it right the first time" i think it came out in like '98?? maybe cause it was live you didn't include it...

Anonymous (January 12, 2005)

One of the best albums of last year. If you loved the early Epitaph sounds of the early-mid 90s; then you'll really like this. These guys helped to INVENT that sound. These guys are in the game for all the right reasons.....

Anonymous (January 12, 2005)

What it is with these older bands taking a decade between albums now? Descendents, Social D, and now SNFU.

stevejonestherealbones (January 12, 2005)

these old dudes crack me up.....haha....still trying....hehehe

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

- xanga.com/ctw160

- purevolume.com/smashthemagnavox.com

Anonymous (January 12, 2005)

Its about time there was some SNFU album reviews on here....just seen them too this year since like 97 and it was like old times awesome live show chi pig can get pretty intense and the album is rocking....when are we gonna see a green and leafy review?