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| SublimeSublime1996 MCA 
 Review by: GlassPipeMurder See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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Published on November 20th 2005
It's not often that legendary bands truly go out with a bang. Operation Ivy did it with Energy. Refused did it with The Shape of Punk to Come. Paul Weller broke up the Jam as they celebrated their #1 album The Gift. But most bands hit their pinnacle and proceed to watch their popularity spiral until they're finally left with no other option than to throw in the towel. Granted, it was the heroin overdose of lead singer Brad Nowell that forced the end of Sublime, but left in the wake of his death was the band's self-titled release that would spawn five top-ten singles and sell millions throughout the world.
Sublime is a hodgepodge of all types of bands I have been into since I was a kid. Not like I mix it all up on purpose but more like its a subconscious type of thing. As a young kid I was heavily into hardcore punk, like the Circle Jerks and Black Flag, then I first heard the ska sound from bands like the Selector and the Specials. I thought this was the best music I had ever heard. Then came the rub a dub style of dance hall reggae music which I've never been able get out of my head since! A little later I was into Run DMC and the whole NWA sound. I was blown away when I heard groups like BDP and KRS-One mixing rap and reggae. It was devastating…From the feel-good summertime beats of “What I Got” to the furious thrashings of “Paddle Out” to the skankin’-in-the-pit upstrokes of “Seed,“ Sublime's self-titled assembles a beautiful mosaic of variety that never strays from what is inherently Sublime. While the group's debut, 40 Oz. To Freedom, established their sound and place in the Southern California punk scene, this album established their place in the homes of kids everywhere. Lead singer Brad Nowell recorded most of this album strung out on heroin and valuums, but rarely does it show in the music. His golden voice maintains virtual flawlessness, as he addresses everything from unwed pregnancy (“Seed”), surfing (“Paddle Out”), rioting on the streets of every major city (“April 29th, 1992 (Miami)”), teenage prostitution (“Wrong Way”), and of course, heroin addiction (“Garden Grove”). Unbeknownst to most, Sublime’s self-titled is also scattered with unbeatable covers, interpolations, and tributes (Half-Pint’s “Lovin’,” Secret Hate’s “The Ballad of Johnny Butt,” Wailing Souls’ “War deh Round a John Shop,” Bob Marley’s “Jailhouse,” and George and Ira Gershwin’s classic “Summertime” amongst others). In recent years, MCA has done everything in their power to milk as much money out of Sublime as possible. An endless assortment of greatest hits collections, gold pressings, and boxed sets are tarnishing the image of a band built on DIYethics and non-stop touring. But I have a secret to share with you: This album is all you need to experience the best of what Sublime has to offer. True, their other releases are favorites amongst diehard fans, but no music lover can complete his or her collection without the perfect swan song of a band that was cut down in the prime of its success. People who liked this also liked:           Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
Sure it wasn't as good as 40oz To Freedom but self-titled was and still is a great album. I can't think of an album that had more musical genres on it but yet didn't sound out of place. The only complaint I have about self-titled is the fact that "What I Got" and "Santeria" get rediculous radio-play at the local rock station. Other than that though, I really can't find a flaw with the album amazing album from one of the best bands of all time This is one of the best reviews i've read on this website. Sublime is the coolest band ever! and anyone who dont like them suck major monkey balls! long live sublime! RIP Brad! Sublime is the best fucking band i have ever heard in my entier life!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!! i love sublime!!! people need to stop with all the rude comments about them cause why are they even here in the first place?? if all theyre gunna do is say stupid stuff about them. sublime is my favorite band..EVER. i love them. i smoke 2 joints in time of peace, and 2 in time of war...i smoke 2 joints before I smoke 2 joints...then i smoke 2 more! I like this album, I like sublime and if you don't its all good Typical Will pointless babble bullshit. Wow, that comment 4 posts down wins my "dumbest shit I've read on the internet all month" award. aside from Caress Me Down, Get Ready, and maybe What I Got, how is this a party album?? Eh, the lyrics are sometimes sophomoric on this album but it's a party album first and foremost and in that respect it's the best Sublime album if only due to the production. "I would put Sublime in the same the same catagory as Pink Floyd and Bob Marley, what I mean by that is they all have a message to give. Kris" All of u who hate on Sublime are complete idiots. Bradley Nowell was a musical genius. Just listen to his lyrics...Go head listen. If they do not speak to you than you are truley a dumb fuck. All of the Sublime albums are absolute classics in my opinion. And by no means are any of them compairable. Each one is it's own message and theme all to itself. If you know any thing about music will not be able to put these albums down. They will not leave your CD Player for atleast a week, and once your done with the first one you will buy the next. Don't be discouraged by the change in tone or sound between albums, 'cause as i said before "no album is compairable to another." Just try to hear and understand the experiance for what it is. I would put Sublime in the same the same catagory as Pink Floyd and Bob Marley, what I mean by that is they all have a message to give. Kris I don't like this. Call me an asshole. Go ahead, seriously. But it's all opinion and that's my opinion. I am so sick of these dead mofos. Both literally and figuratively. If you kill urself, that's the sympathy you get from me. Ensue onslaught. The following is my explanation (justification?) for everything in the review, including responses to some comments. I was so disappointed by this CD when it came out in 1996, and I'm pretty sure I would still hate it now. Oh well, Sublime made two good CDs at least. Every album is just a greatest hits from the three's youth. Hardly anything original. ha ha lonsome crowded west is an awesome cd this review romanticizes this album a bit much, though it does it reasonably well. i just never really cared for this album much outside of the singles. i think that 10 years from now, a greatest hits album will sum this band's career up nicely. drunk on the amtrack PLEASE SHUT UP. "bradley dying is a bigger tragedy than losing kurt cobain imho" to show how important sublime was to mainstream america at the time of brad's death, i still have the spin magazine that was released at that time (it was the KISS 1996 reunion tour four cover deal, for anyone that cares to look it up). Long Beach dub all-stars is like olestra for the mind. My friend has a split 7" with sublime on one side and wesley willis and the fiasco on the other. I want that fucking record. this was not sublime's first cd buddy. Dinosaur Jr. wasn't a matter of "peaking". They actually didn't "peak" in terms of recognition and sales until Where You Been and Without A Sound, and that was after Lou Barlow had left and the quality of their albums had softened, or at least the style had changed dramatically under just Mascis. "I wouldn't say that Sublime is that important, but neither is Nirvana. They were just in the right place at the right time. The Pixies or Dinosaur Jr peaked too early, but they (and many others) would've had the same effect with Nirvana's same timeline" I wouldn't say that Sublime is that important, but neither is Nirvana. They were just in the right place at the right time. The Pixies or Dinosaur Jr peaked too early, but they (and many others) would've had the same effect with Nirvana's same timeline. "bradley dying is a bigger tragedy than losing kurt cobain imho" "That's such a typical "punk" response, don't be afraid to like something just because brainless idiots do. They don't enjoy music like this on the same level as I do. Sublime rips, and try playing Robbin' The Hood at a frat party, good luck." this album was the soundtrack to the first half of my sophmore year in highschool. one of my favorite albums of all time...its a little played out now, nearly 10 years later but still sounds fresh when i bust it out. bradley dying is a bigger tragedy than losing kurt cobain imho also Sublime - Sublime This album is all you need to experience the best of what Sublime has to offer. score is for warped tour 1995 I love sublime. I for one don't care if jocks likes it or if it's popular or whatever the hell else... I listened to it, I liked it. That's the end of it. You either like it or you don't but that has nothing to do with what style it is or that the band did drugs or whatever. And for that "real punk" guy, sublime doesnt really even sound punk, maybe a couple of songs with little punk parts and that's about it. So no it's not "real punk", and it's not even "fake punk". I just find it funny how some people hate this with such passion haha... it's retarded. I like them alright, but come on. They aren't that great. And it's not because they're popular or anything. It's the fact that they hardly did anything original. And don't tell me that mixing all kinds of styleees is original. People have been doing that forever. Most of their songs are just copies of old songs. They were just some alright musicians covering (or if you prefer, paying tribute) to old ska, reggae, blues and punk bands. just bustin your balls man. i always stereotype 'small town' people as being very localized and never really venturing out. i know it's not really the case though. Almostpunk, I want to become a social worker, so of course I've been outside my suburbs before. Same in the end? Great song. Everything else? Not so great. caress me down wasn't a single. it probably should have been. it's a little racy though. For the guy who asked what happened to LBDA... they have trimmed their band down to a 4 or 5 piece i think? But they released a CD as Long Beach Shortbus in 2004, its a horrible mesh of pop, reggae, and punk etc... but there are a few tracks worth hearing and some originality sprinkled in, download it. "i thought there were more than five singles..... did BSD just accuse omeone of 'never being outside their suburb'. dear god that's hilarious. Hating a band because people you don't like like them is the worst reason to hate a band. I don't care how many drunken frat-boys know the words to the songs on this album, I still dig it. i think i would've hated this band had i gotten into black flag and minor threat when i was 15 but alas, i was still listening to stp and smashing pumpkins or whatever was on radio in 95 so what the hey, i dug it. now, not so much although seed and paddle out are still kool. Score is for the guy who said he hadn't heard any of the albums after this one and the other guy who said "Long live Brad". The bands weakest album by far. Pretty cool when I was 16 though. overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated overrated Sublime's a wierd band. They are really fucking good all other things being equal, but that's never the way it works. The first time I heard Sublime I was blown away, but after nearly a decade of this stuff I can say that's it's starting to lose its lustre. It's kinda like how I'm getting with Fat Tire I guess. It's really good, but when every-fucking-body you run into is ten kinds of into it, you wind up feeling a little bored. I'll throw 40 Oz. on every now and again when the mood strikes, but I hear it enough anyway. These days I fall asleep to Lucero, but I remember Sublime fondly. "I didn't get into pot in middle school like every one else, so to me songs about pot smoking and "chilling out" don't fit me because I'm a really high-strung, hyper person. In fact, I kind of resent the idea of "chilling with the crew" and "smoking up." If there are drugs on the scene, they better be fucking stimulants and the music had better be something cool, yet creepy like Gang of Four, Magazine, KK Null solo stuff, Zeni Geva, later Boredoms, Melt-Banana or VMW." Damn you seeing this made me break out the Sublime shirt. I find this to be the most overall boring album they ever released. 40oz. never gets boring front to back, same with Robbin' the Hood. A bunch of drunk frat boys singing "What I Got" is just as bad as them singing "Tub Thumping". you know when they come and teach you about sex ed. and they stick the jimmy (rubber, goatskin sack, condom) on the banana? Well if so it's like that but there it gets extracurricular. Exactly what it sounds like. whats banana sex? I like good music as much as the next person and this is one of the ebst pieces of music out there along with the rest of their catalogue BUT it is extremely popular so I think I'd prefer to watch Burt Rynolds, Phil Spector & three tranys have banana sex in the back of a limo after a Dropkick Murphys concert than listen to this. Ha, didn't take as long as I thought to get you fuckers going. 2. I was really embarassed because I got this band's name mixed up with my favorite kind of pie. So when my mom said she had some keylime, I was like "Yeah mom. Let's roll a joint and listen to it." No other band has ever done that. If you don't at least appreciate their unique contribution, you're just being ignorant. You don't have to like Sublime, but you've got to respect them. Anyone who says they are' generic' or 'bland' or 'ska-punk' either hasn't heard them or doesn't know anything about music. Sublime was an innovative band that combined the sounds of rap, raggae, ska, punk, and hardcore just to name a few, and made them work together beautifully. No other band has ever done that. If you don't at least appreciate their unique contribution, you're just being ignorant. ". First off, a disease is something you get unwillingly, if you choose to drink, shoot up, or snort a fat line off a dashboard, you did so yourself. I have absolutely NO sympathy for people like that" I'll take Hodgepodge? for $1200 Alex. Goddamn I hate Sublime...almost as much as I hate Nirvana. Oh yeah, my comment was by me. amazing album.. Absolutely lame, bland and offensive any sublime fans should get brad nowell's acoustic cd....i think it's even better than this album Hey Gladimnotemo, music sux coz it sold out lol. No seriously, I want to see more posts about why *any band here* and how *any music style here* has sold out or gotten big and now you can't like them and must shred shred shred it. seriously, you people all need to get over yourselves. yes, stoners and frat guys love this band. they also love the beatles, the stones, and led zeppelin. so i guess all those bands suck too. And Green Day sucks, even though they are what got me into punk. Hopefully Sublime will at least be like a "Gateway Band"; Sublime is like that joint that you had at a friend's party, which will eventually lead to the musical cocaine or heroin that is "real punk". Man, I am really digging the attitude on this site nowadays. CRAP. CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP. This is just terrible. Sublime, along with RBF, is responsible for all of the crap in ska-punk. All of the stupid, laid-back, party, jock-asshole attitude, with none of the positive message of 2Tone. Sublime is like the Madball of ska: popular, stupid, and without substance. Date Rape was not a single from this cd.... score is for lame superdude imitators This review was pretty good, but here's how I would make it better: One of the most over-hyped bands ever. Stoner frat "punk". Nothing needs to be said about them anymore. Robbin the Hood was their best album. I think this was their worst...errr..whatever else was churned out after this I haven't listened to, so from my viewpoint, this was their weakest release. i thought there were more than five singles..... So your stoned, play bad music, bored. I like this album. Obviously nowadays admitting that is something of a crime, but I think some of the songs are great. You don't have to be a stoner/jock/whatever to enjoy it either. i haven't listened to this cd in over 5 years, but i can still recite every word 'sublime are key, sublime will always be key' amazing band who signed to a bunch of blood suckers, fuck mca. i really like a bunch of songs on this, great nostalgia too. that being said, "40ozs..." and "Robbin the Hood" are both better than this. and Sublime, overall, are SEVERELY overrated. i hate to say it, but if Brad hadn't died, they would have faded to shit by now. sorry. I honestly down understand the logic process of some of the people on this website. Granted, I find it all very entertaining (that's why I come to this place and read the comments more than I do the main articles), but some of the hypocrisy is crazy. I never actually got this album but I've heard it so many times over the years that it's like I own it. I like Sublime and all, but they're not exactly the bee's knees. 'sublime are key, sublime will always be key' amazing band who signed to a bunch of blood suckers, fuck mca. I'm too cool to listen to Sublime, much cooler than everyone else. I'm too cool to do the drugs everyone else is doing, gimme some fucking speed. When I'm trying to chill, I'd rather listen to bands like Disaster Fan, Portage Terriers, Functional Monkey, S.T.I., Suburban Logic, etc. You need this kind of music when you're relaxing/trying to fall asleep. I love that one song about the LA riots. awesome band. great memories. whatever dudes, this band totally rocks! fuck yeah! now im gonna go smoke some weed... This does not deserve a 10. Sublime were never that great a band, a good band? Perhaps. A talented band, definately, but a great band? Not nearly. Sure, they played around with genres, but they were never as consistent, nor as funny as the Dead Milkmen or similar such bands. This album is one which I enjoyed (but never loved) in High school, but now I can barely stand to listen to it. Yeah, I think the question is what the hell you're doing at a party with stoners and jocks if you aren't just like them... "One of the most over-hyped bands ever. Stoner frat "punk". Nothing needs to be said about them anymore." I love this CD, theres 1 or 2 bad tracks though So many people love this band. To this day, I still don't get why. Meh, I guess they're not terrible, but I tried so hard to give these guys a chance. No dice, yet or ever. "Lead singer Brad Nowell recorded most of this album strung out on heroin and valuums, but rarely does it show in the music." I used to kinda like Sublime when I was about nine, but I never really got into them. All the stoners and jocks in my school seemed to love Sublime, though, along with Nirvana and Tool. The only time I ever listen to them is when I'm at a party. why do people all of a sudden give a shit about sublime again? i got over them when i was 14, like all people of decent taste should. there was absolutely nothing original or daring about their sound. they were a safe, melodic, flaccid reggae/punk crossover band who catered to idiots with no clue about music. One of the most over-hyped bands ever. Stoner frat "punk". Nothing needs to be said about them anymore. this album is completely awesome, along with 40 oz One of the most over-rated bands of all time. sublime covered that song about two joints in the morning right? Doin Time was the last single from the cd. I love What Happened, although the guitarist plays the exact same solo on some other song on 40 oz... sublime will always remind me of senior year spring break. because i really did smoke two joints in the morning, as well as smoked two joints and night, and i smoked two joints before i smoked two joints and then i smoked to more...................memories.......... The other single was "Date Rape", a great song this band is really hit or mis. i like burritos though what were the 5 singles? i liked a few songs, especially same in the end, but i just never got into this band. |
