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Straight Outta Junior High

Mongoloid Monarchy (2005)
Wunkrock

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: thirtyseconds
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on July 8th 2005

People who buy a Straight Outta Junior High record should not, in my opinion, be expecting record of the year. Come to think of it, probably not even record of the month. Fans of the previous two efforts know that the wacky, fun, and very high school reminiscent (well, if you're like me, when you first got into punk rock, seemingly a care-free type of music centred around absurd lyrics and good-time songs...okay okay, what I mean to say is "Blink-182") brand of music SOJH play will never be ground-breaking, hugely thought-provoking or inspirational.

Add to that the fact that their third effort is not that different (surprise, surprise) from Kiss Of Deaf and you may be asking "where does that leave this record?" or "what's the point then?" Additionally, you may also say "these lyrics are not funny. I would have found this shit funny when I was 12" or "these guys are like, soooooooooooo immature."

Well, fair enough. All I can write is my opinion, which on this occasion I can sum up as "good, but not great." I enjoyed the last album, and I must say I enjoy this one slightly more, the main upgrade being in the guitar department. The riffs are catchier this time round and more inventive on the ol' fret board, the best example being the extremely strong opener, "USF." When songs are this fun and catchy, even the most jaded of punkers should be able to enjoy them. Sure, you can bitch about the lack of hilarity in the lyrics if you want, but I'm guessing you would take lines like "He'd never rape like Kobe Bryant, or pay them off just to keep quiet" over something about slitting wrists over girls, etc. Or songs about crackheads or Target over today's emo crap. That being said, the brilliant "Down With Anarchy" makes a decent point about how truly fucked we would be if anarchy actually happened as so many kids scream for with their t-shirts and sew-on patches.

Unfortunately, this album suffers from a few drab songs. The middle section of the album is just not as good as the first 4 tracks and can leave the listener feeling disappointed after the strong start. Things pick up towards the end, however, after the quite long and boring (by comparison) "Don't You Dare Ever Break Up With Me."

Anyway, this review ends here. If you like this band, you will like this. If you don't like this band, Mongoloid Monarchy will not change that. If you have never heard this band, check the link. Just like I said: Good, not great.

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RippaSplitta (April 29, 2011)

This band is fucking garbage. They are local where I'm from and I just can't seem to find a bar where these fucktards are playing. Almost everyone I know in the local music scene CAN'T STAND these idiots. Seriously though, they just need to go away. They are never going to go anywhere except the same bars over and over again. These idiots were actually put on the same bill with American Head Charge once. AHC said they would never play that here again because of that. Way to go assholes.

Anonymous (February 15, 2006)

No it's not, these guys sound like every other crappy, carbon-copy pop-punk outfit out there.

Anonymous (January 29, 2006)

this is an sweet ass cd, that is super original, and super creative. These guys rock live make your way to see them.

Anonymous (January 29, 2006)

this is an sweet ass cd, that is super original, and super creative. These guys rock live make your way to see them.

Anonymous (August 10, 2005)

These guys are awesome. Come on people have a sense of humor there just a bunch of guys goofin' around. I don't care what any of you have to say I

Anonymous (August 9, 2005)

This album is awesome. Hilarious, catchy, funny, and cool. They are funny in concert too. I'm 19 and used to hate punk music since it seemed to get more stupid and boring every year, but SOJH is definitely a breath of fresh air to a punk scene that has gone stale.

Anonymous (July 13, 2005)

the song "it's a brand new day" from this CD is getting a bunch of radio play in my hometown... great song about the drug Valtrex.

Anonymous (July 13, 2005)

You stated "brand of music SOJH play will never be ground-breaking, hugely thought-provoking or inspirational" but then go on to say something about the brilliant " down with anarchy" makes an interesting point etc.
I like this CD especially the song "auto erotic" with the internet and a credit card who needs to waste time dating anymore.

Anonymous (July 11, 2005)

not as stupid as corpse of my motivation

longshot (July 10, 2005)

i dunno. i like these guys. and i like the songs.
it's fast, it's funny, it's catchy and no one screams.
between this and skinny kids with shaggy hair whining about some shit like "my heart cries for your valentine," i'll take SOJH any day.

Anonymous (July 8, 2005)

From SomethingAwful.com's Dr. David Thorpe -

"...you’ve probably realized that nine out of ten dumb-ass white teenagers has a “hilarious” comedy-rock band that writes songs about masturbating and TV shows from the Eighties. You’ve also probably noticed that these bands have a success rate of about 0.05% in the humor department."

stevejonestherealbones (July 8, 2005)

i dont think there is any review that could make me actually want to listen to a band called what this band is called

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

SkolarX (July 8, 2005)

if nothing else that album title is funny. maybe not as great as "Love Songs for the Retarded" as far as a joke about the specially challenged goes but still pretty funny

ChokingVictim (July 8, 2005)

Well, these guys are local to where I live, and I kinda like them. All of their releases have some great songs, but unfortunatley each release also has a couple poppy songs that drag the overall feel of the album down.

"Down With Anarchy" is a good song though.

CrookedSuperhero (July 8, 2005)

Good review, but i probably wouldn't dig this cd.

Love extends to 30 though.

JKyle (July 8, 2005)

These guys were the opening act when MxPx played a free show at my college. I think I was one of the only people in the audience who actually knew all the words to "Happy Fun Song."

OKSoda (July 8, 2005)

In my opinion, to assume that the only people who like the idea of anarchy are kids shopping at hot topic is just plain ignorant.

Anonymous (July 8, 2005)

"...anyway, this shit ain't half bad."

But it's also not 1/4 good.

AAHHHH (July 8, 2005)

i like the first 2 cds far more than this one.

Anonymous (July 8, 2005)

The name sucks...the band sucks

Lick my fuckin taint.

---Travis.

Anonymous (July 8, 2005)

More like Straight Outta My Ass

Anonymous (July 8, 2005)

"Stupidest band name ever."

apparently you've never heard of 'My America is Watching Tigers Die'.

anyway, this shit ain't half bad.