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Epitaph Records -- Millencolin

Nomeansno

All Roads Lead to Ausfahrt
2006
AntAcidAudio

Nomeansno - All Roads Lead to Ausfahrt (Cover Artwork)


Review by: GlassPipeMurder
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Published on August 29th 2006

Before sliding All Roads Lead to Ausfahrt into my computer, I knew two things about Nomeansno: (1) they're Canadian, and (2) they're old as hell. In fact, they've been a band since 1979, longer than many Punknews.org readers have been alive. What I didn't know about them was that they are an incredibly strange, sometimes disturbing, but above all talented group of musicians.

Overall, the musicianship reminded me a lot of Double Nickels on the Dime-era Minutemen. Odd timing on the drums along with bouncing, ballsy basslines create some of the most interesting rhythms this side of the Blood Brothers. There are some seriously catchy numbers on All Roads, such as "Slugs Are Burning," "'Til I Die," and the secret bonus track, apparently titled "The Future Is the Past" according to iTunes. The majority of the vocals from brothers Rob and John Wright are strong (almost operatic), but can get a little old after a few listens.

The lyrics also often leave something to be desired, dipping into Dwarves-style weirdness in lines such as "Let's take turns molesting the children / I'm so bored with my life / Yes let's take turns molesting the children / Then I'll go home to my wife" on the song, "Mondo Nihilissimo 2000." In fact, they reference child molestation twice on the disc in addition to their minor college radio hit, "Dad" from the album Sex Mad. However, Nomeansno is right on the mark with "The Hawk Killed the Punk," a testament to fashion's domination of individualism in the modern punk scene.

For those used to straightforward, 4/4 punk rock, All Roads Lead to Ausfahrt will take some getting used to. Their unorthodox approach is nearly one of a kind in punk these days, but is surely worth taking a listen. It's certainly no masterpiece, but it effectively demonstrates that punk rock is no one-trick pony, and neither is Nomeansno.



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    Posted by Falconer on 2006-09-11 19:23:23
    My Score:

    Okay, so I got the chance to listen to this band randomly, with this release. After two listens, I was hooked. It's been in my players now for two days. Fucken eh, this band is right on the money...

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 9, 2006 at 6:08 AM (EDT)

    See them live, my friend. Absolutely, incontravertably, and consistently the best live band on the planet. The albums that sound "interesting, quirky, at times catchy, but not necessarily masterpieces" (a common description similar to yours) take on a whole new depth and intensity. Outfuckingrageously great band. Every single night.

    Roberto
    robotboy15@yahoo.com

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 1, 2006 at 10:51 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    only 7/10 for NoMeansNo ??? 2/10 for the reviewer

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 1, 2006 at 7:24 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    No means fucking no !

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 1, 2006 at 7:24 AM (EDT)

    No means fucking no ! 5/5

    Posted by bassthoven on 2006-09-01 00:57:23

    No Means No are gods!

    Posted by lushj on 2006-08-31 20:42:07

    I hope someone who's actually heard this band before reviews this on punknews.org. I'm looking forward to hearing it, but I have no idea if it's a greatest hits, or a brand new studio album, or how it compares to any of their other records.

    P.S.- Every time I've seen NMN (1990-2005) they've been anything from "better than 95% of your favorite bands" to "flat out incredible." The last time was a bit long (1 hour ) but I was also not in the mood for a long set and was forced to stay and watch them.

    Posted by gladimnotemo on 2006-08-29 22:14:47

    I really want to see these guys live on this tour, but I doubt I'll be able to. I'm pretty sure they have a couple more tours in them, though.

    Posted by wyzo on 2006-08-29 18:28:50

    "so individual taste can create anomalies like the one you just pointed out."

    so what your saying, though, is it is an anomalie. or is it anomaly. hmm.

    on an unrelated note, i have to go look something up.

    wyzo

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 5:15 PM (EDT)

    I've seen these guys 7 times I believe, the first time being in 94, the most recent being a few months ago, and let me tell you, they haven't aged well. With 100% assuredness I can guarantee they are the oldest punk band alive that still has their parents come to their shows. Thumbs up on the Dad reference. Anyone wanting to get into this band should check out that song. Sex Mad and Wrong would be my all time favourite albums. Haven't heard this, but the new songs were pretty good live.

    ...evildeadalive

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2006-08-29 16:53:30

    Yeah I pride myself on keeping up with all the latest punk bands just so I can strategically place them in reviews.

    Posted by WilliamMarinovic on 2006-08-29 16:43:26

    "You can tell how much the reviewer knows by who he names drop. "THIS SOUNDS LIKE BLOOD BROTHERS RHYTHM SECTION WITH DWARVES LYRICS"."

    Hahahahhahaha.

    Posted by daved4 on 2006-08-29 15:01:02
    My Score:

    fuck i want this album so bad

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 2:05 PM (EDT)

    This band is pretty good, but only so many songs can be sung by old guys with two lips, two lungs and one tounge.

    Posted by gladimnotemo on 2006-08-29 14:02:54

    You can tell how much the reviewer knows by who he names drop. "THIS SOUNDS LIKE BLOOD BROTHERS RHYTHM SECTION WITH DWARVES LYRICS".

    Posted by Mute98 on 2006-08-29 13:14:36
    My Score:

    this band is pretty damn good, i actually havent heard much outside of this album

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 12:29 PM (EDT)

    A. Nomeansno is amazing.
    B. Those lyrics are hillarious.
    C. Nomeansno is amazing.
    D. Nomeansno is amazing.

    Posted by Scruffy on 2006-08-29 12:19:38

    "Nomeansno gets 3 1/2 and shitty-ass , christian, epi-fat MuchtheSame gets 4. Yup , I was pretty sure the contributors of this site had shit for brains and now I'm sure of it."

    First, Much The Same is religious? You sure about that?

    Second, you do realize that there's not just one reviewer, so individual taste can create anomalies like the one you just pointed out. If it bothers you so much, submit a review fro NoMeansNo and give it a 10. If it's well-written, they will publish it. Oh, wait, you probably just want to complain.

    Posted by homie on 2006-08-29 10:29:28
    My Score:

    Score is for the band because I haven't heard the album. They are old as dirt, but put on a great live show. Hanson Brothers are awesome as well!

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 10:17 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "Lets all be individuals, by wearing the same god damn spiked belt. Did I miss the "what belt to wear" section of my Punk 101 course?"

    NomeansNo don't wear spike belts you fucking moron. Do you know anything at all?

    This score is for NomeansNo.

    Posted by TraumaSponge on 2006-08-29 09:21:20

    Hey! Yelling about this band incessantly has done me well.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 8:52 AM (EDT)

    Nomeansno gets 3 1/2 and shitty-ass , christian, epi-fat MuchtheSame gets 4. Yup , I was pretty sure the contributors of this site had shit for brains and now I'm sure of it.

    Posted by dietcokeofpunk on 2006-08-29 08:12:22

    "a testament to fashion's domination of individualism in the modern punk scene. "

    Lets all be individuals, by wearing the same god damn spiked belt. Did I miss the "what belt to wear" section of my Punk 101 course?

    Posted by danperrone on 2006-08-29 08:04:02

    they gotta be from boston

    ahhh gotta rip a wicked fahhht

    Posted by danperrone on 2006-08-29 07:52:25

    lol fart

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 1:25 AM (EDT)

    hopefully they'll be putting out records while using respirators.

    Great great band. I miss the website that used to have all there lyrics.

    where can i find this?

    wyzo

    Posted by cuapunkradio on 2006-08-29 01:20:17

    Get Fucked!