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Fake Problems

Viking Wizard Eyes Wizard Full of Lies [7 inch] (2008)
Good Friends

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

Published on February 12th 2008

Thank your local deity for the hard-rocking bands that never stop. After releasing one of the strongest punk albums (How Far Our Bodies Go) and providing some of the gnarliest, wackiest basement shows of 2007, Floridian folk-punkers Fake Problems have kept on keeping on, with a tour with Smoke or Fire and another full-length planned for 2008. And now, Viking Wizard Eyes Wizard Full of Lies, a new three-song 7" that compensates for its super awkward title with some barn-burning jams.

“Adam’s Song” opens the record, and it’s clear right away that Fake Problems has evolved quite a bit since Bodies dropped last year. The band is coming into its own, resembling Southern rock more than it does Against Me!-style folk-punk, thanks in big part to the noodly guitar that slips and slides throughout and a sweet rock-out near the end. Damn, this one is going to be fun to hear live.

Track 2, “Mutt,” keeps the Southern rock vibe going, right down to the lyrics about frontman Chris Farren’s attempts to bone a bonny lass before her boyfriend figures it out. “Yeah we spent some time hanging out in the backseat” Farren reminisces before revealing “You kept on calling and calling me / And I kept on and kept on not answering.” Yeah, it’s kind of sleazy, but so is Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “What’s Your Name.” At least it’s a fun tune.

"Wendy Clear” sounds closer to Fake Problems’ older material, with less noodling and more of the guitar/ukulele style found on Bodies. Also, it’s not gross and adulterous like “Mutt.” Instead, listeners get a romper stomper with a tasty finger-tapping bit in the middle.

Thankfully, Viking Wizard Eyes Wizard Full of Lies is easier to sing along to than it is to pronounce. While not as crunchy or catchy as How Far Our Bodies Go, it should prove to be an excellent placeholder until LP #2 drops like 10 minutes from now.

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syebot (November 21, 2008)

they were selling this on tour over here and I just had to buy both colours... But I fuckin love it.

that_band_changed_my_life (July 21, 2008)

uh, duh.

weekendpunk (February 14, 2008)

FP is totes awesome, (probably definitely awesomer than Justin Bobby, but maybe less awesome than Whitney maybe?), but I worry that Chris's dance moves are slipping. Please tell me it isn't so! And I worry that Casey will accidentally slide into a full-split on stage and injure his groin.

nocigar (February 13, 2008)

i gave this another shot, still.....nothing. i give up.

these_parks_are_lakes (February 13, 2008)

i am the lazer viking?

brangelina (February 13, 2008)

I think next ep I'm going to try for a british accent.

obiwanspicoli (February 13, 2008)

Saw them with Against Me!

that_band_changed_my_life (February 13, 2008)

ah! score for selling out!

justinius (February 13, 2008)

briennis, if you could elaborate a little on your statement, that would be great.

briennis (February 13, 2008)

Fake Problems: putting the mindless pursuit of career goals back into punk.

AnotherBoringStory (February 12, 2008)

Fun stuff, but I liked How Far Our Bodies Go more.

nocigar (February 12, 2008)

yeah, i really think the titles of these songs, and the title to this piece of work is pretty lame. Also, lead singers accent seems way too forced..not sure if he is from Gainesville, but pretty sure nobody there has that type of southern accent. Don't see what is so great about this band. blah.

CCSummers (February 12, 2008)

why are all these songs titled after blink songs... a little lame

BobLoblaw (February 12, 2008)

Eh.

baseball (February 12, 2008)

this band is just so damn fun

looking forward to the Smoke or Fire/Fake Problems show on Friday

Hey_Asshole (February 12, 2008)

oh, my world, it is ok

niveK82 (February 12, 2008)

They are giving the music away

http://www.goodfriendsrecords.com/images/gfr webz.zip

cherrycolarain (February 12, 2008)

Awesome stuff. But you only gave it 3 stars? Why? The way your review goes it should be at least 4. I like the review, but the score seems a bit off is all.

Dante3000 (February 12, 2008)

I have this 7" and it's autographed by the band and future presidential hopeful Tron Kerry.
I don't know why but I just enjoy this band. The music, the attitude the whole thing is fun.
-Dante