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Bouncing Souls

Maniacal Laughter (1995)
BYO Records

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

Published on September 5th 2001

Now this takes me back.

I was just begining to get into punk big time. Drawing Black Flag's and Weasel's on all my notebooks, safety pining all my clothes, bought my first drum set for 50$, stopped brushing my teeth and washing my hair, ya know all that stupid shit you do when you're in high school. Well, I must say that this album was right by my side in those days.

'Maniacal Laughter' is probably my favorite Souls release yet. I haven't heard all of 'How I Spent My Summer Vacation' yet, but I can't see it comparing. This is the Bouncing Souls without the crystal clear Epitaph production. The album is raw and fast, but that has come to be expected from a young punk band(which the Souls were back in 95). One of my favorite punk songs ever comes from ML, that being 'Quick Check Girl'. It's not full of jaw-dropping musicianship, in fact, it's pretty simple, but everytime I hear it, I can't help but reminise. Other Bouncing Soul staples are found on 'Maniacal Laughter' as well. 'Lamar Vanoy', 'Argyle', 'the BMX song', and of course, the concert favorite, 'Here We Go'. I can't leave out 'Born to Lose', a great punk cover of the immortal Johnny Cash's classic. You can actually hear the sound of their hearts being poured out into every song(a little too cheesy?), from the raw guitars to the shouting/singing. Epitaph was a good move for the band, but this album somehow shoves more emotion down your throat than anything else they've released.

Like I said before, you won't find the Strung Out guitar licks, the NOFX drum beats, or the Jawbreaker lyrics here, but what you will find is a great punk record from what was soon to be a huge punk band. The Bouncing Souls have always kept it pure and simple, and this is my album of choice.

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sk8ergrl (November 7, 2009)

"It's horrible to realize I'll have to look back and remember how FALL OUT BOY was the it band....."

agreed!!!!!!

PacePicante (March 25, 2006)

This CD rules all
Bouncing Souls are awesome
Perfect 10

Anonymous (January 21, 2006)

To me this is the perfect album, all 23 and so minutes of it. What I like the best is Freaks, Nerds & Romantics, Quick Chek Girl and the BMX song (it's catchy...) I'm just 15 but listening to this stuff makes me wish I was born wayy sooner. It's horrible to realize I'll have to look back and remember how FALL OUT BOY was the it band.....

mrwaffles (December 5, 2003)

I agree. BMX sucks, unless you just ride it around. Maybe i'm just pedjudiced as a skater. Oh, and the souls own

Analog_Boy (August 12, 2003)

I like the bouncing souls. Argyle is an awsome song off this one. Yeah, and that BMX song? A terrible, terrible song. Probably because I dislike bmx. Ouch.

Anonymous (November 22, 2001)

Bouncing souls will rule forever!!! all their albums rock but this is by far the best one ever!!!!

Anonymous (September 11, 2001)

All the Souls albums are great this is no exception. I agree with whats said about "quick check girl"-i think we've all been there. The thing that i like most about the souls is there stand on MTV-thank god. Ow yah, ballad of jonny x is a great song, that takes me back-more bands need songs like that.

Anonymous (September 11, 2001)

one of my two favs by the souls (the other being "hopeless romantic" that all of you in internet land hate--maybe we're all hearing different albums??). "Nerds, freaks and romantics" is kind of like my mix tape standard. Just thinking about that song brings me chills..

"i got a song stuck in my head walking down street number nine...
I sing it out loud and we're all having a good time."

To me, this is one of my favorite things about punk in high school. Walking down the streets with friends, drinking a bit (if that's your thing) and singing your favorite songs. Ah, the souls... the band that i will forever rock out to.

--Cos