New Found Glory / International Superheroes of Hardcore

New Found Glory / International Superheroes of Hardcore: Tip of the Iceberg / Takin' It Ova!Tip of the Iceberg / Takin' It Ova! (2008)
Bridge Nine Records

Reviewer Rating: 3

User Rating:

Contributed by: JeloneJelone
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on April 29th 2008About a month after Geffen Records attempted to sum up New Found Glory's past with Hits, the band has bounced into the future with the dual release of the Tip of the Iceberg EP and Takin' It Ova!, the latter a full-length from alter-ego / side project International Superheroes of Hardcore. The inaug.

About a month after Geffen Records attempted to sum up New Found Glory's past with Hits, the band has bounced into the future with the dual release of the Tip of the Iceberg EP and Takin' It Ova!, the latter a full-length from alter-ego / side project International Superheroes of Hardcore. The inaugural Bridge Nine release for NFG, both albums mark a harder sound that hasn't been heard in some time. This shift is a welcome one after the flaccid, overproduced major label swan song Coming Home.

Tip of the Iceberg consists of three originals and three covers and, to be honest, the originals are the weakest section of the whole package. These cuts hearken back to the hardcore-influenced pop-punk the band showcased on its 2000 self-titled release, but never quite surpass it. They sound competent, but compared to Takin' It Ova!, the band doesn't sound that interested or interesting.

As for the covers, how could you go wrong with Gorilla Biscuits and Lifetime? They're like pasta and PBJs; you'd have to be a jerk to mess them up. NFG's cover of GB's "No Reason Why" and Lifetime's "Cut the Tension" aren't too obvious of choices, which is nice, and they're fun to boot. "No Reason Why" loses some of its bite in the translation, but it's still a decent cover.

I must confess I'm not familiar with Shelter, the third band NFG covers here. So, while the band's version of "Here We Go" could very well be the most bastardly bastardization of all time, to me it sounds pretty gosh dang catchy. Pogo-worthy and filled with hooks, "Here We Go" is the standout cut of Tip of the Iceberg.

NFG seems to turn up the energy with each section. The originals are kind of peppy, the covers rock and as for International Superheroes of Hardcore, well…it's an experience. Vocalist Jordan Pundik and guitarist Chad Gilbert switch roles for Takin' It Ova!, and it's awesome to hear Gilbert's scream 11 years after he left hardcore/metal outfit Shai Halud. The whole record is a big goofy time.

Takin' It Ova! splits its time between parodying hardcore and singing about pop culture, with mixed results. Gilbert's critiques of hXc culture never go too deep ("You're all a bunch of little wieners" goes one line from "Fashion Show," an anti-scene song). While songs like "Screamo Gotta Go" are certainly true, the lack of eloquence robs the jokes of being zingers.

Sometimes, though, ISHC is perfect. I'm referring to "Back to the Future," and its hilarious/awesome intro. "Roads? Where we're going we don't need no…" Gilbert says before bellowing "Roads!" to introduce this fast beat-laden tune. "Back to the Future" talks about wanting to see `80s hardcore bands in their heyday, and mixing that wish with Marty McFly references is stupid-genius. Similar results can be found on "Just Like Dr. Jones."

ISHC's novelty gets old after a few repeat listens, but it's definitely worth having overall for NFG fans. You can even play it for the kids; songs "Dirty Mouth" and "Seat Belt" extol the virtues of clean talkin' and proper automobile safety thoroughly. Tip of the Iceberg, meanwhile, is a grower. Last year's From the Screen to Your Stereo Part II was kind of middling, but the covers here are top notch. Now if only the band could get into its non-joke, non-cover songs.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Wesley_Snipes (March 11, 2009)

"If You Don't Love Me" sounds like a Gob song. OMG !! TOTAL_RIP !!

TheGuwumpkis (March 11, 2009)

score is for seat belt.
never was a big fan of NFG til i bought this.
awesome E.P. and the ISHC is fuckin hilarious.
Since i grew up with pop punk culture, this is a breath of fresh air compared to the new bullshit like fall out boy.
plus, not without a fight is fucking rad too. Buy it.

american_666_jesus (January 24, 2009)

I could not stop laughing at the Seatbelts song.

mattminds (July 7, 2008)

Posted by christian on 2008-04-30 12:37:25

xkidxdynamitex: i know its not punk to like this band alot. but i do

congratulations, you fit the profile of the "hxc" kid who "ironically" likes a pop-punk band. man thats so ironic!

From your posts, you seem to have a pretty high opinion of yourself. You're not impressing anyone.

wow, now hardcore kids can't like pop punk? haha you guys are like parents.

fox82 (June 10, 2008)

Score is for the ISHC LP. I didn't bother with the NFG, never really liked them.

About the Krishnacore deal, who says that people who 'hate' the Krishnas are necessarily into the Bad Brains and Rastafarianism? Personally I don't appreciate any attempt to use music as a recruitment center for religions and/or cults, regardless of their social status. Call me 'old fashioned', but I'm down with the 'No Gods, No Masters' message. Whatever floats your boat though.

insinceredave (May 15, 2008)

I enjoyed this.

Suberbia31 (May 13, 2008)

Never heard better since Pitboss 2000.

MattyG (May 2, 2008)

You know I just downloaded that Fall Out Boy cover of "Save Your Generation", and jesus, is it terrible. did they make it bad on purpose to piss the punx off or something?

sceneupdates (May 2, 2008)

ISOH rocks and owns New Found Glory. I hope they make a longer album soon.

scorpiondeathlock (May 1, 2008)

"being wrong never felt so right...."

...ah 7th grade.

bikeage (May 1, 2008)

gorilla biscuits and lifetime rule, these covers suck, krishna-core sucks, ISHC sucks, NFG sucks.

skolarx (May 1, 2008)

the capt. caveman intro is priceless

flowerfeeder (May 1, 2008)

That Shelter song is from their Mantra record. I was lucky enough to get a copy of that cassette back in the day as one of my free Columbia House record club introduction choices.

It's really hard to find these dyas.

I recently converted it to MP3 and am listening to it now on my iPod.

tenwestchaser (April 30, 2008)

"Didn't a member of this band go on MTV Cribs or something?"

Yeah, Chad. The one who was in Shai Hulud. He was totally showing off his modest, say, 2 bedroom home and his vinyl collection. Let's not forget his cabinet of fine china where he proudly displayed his paper plates. He also talked about his Saved By The Bell dvds. So, yeah. At the risk of sounding lame he actually did kind of "keep it real." It was as if he participated as a joke.

thomas7155 (April 30, 2008)

Yoda to punknews: much Hatred you have

thus_spoke_sean (April 30, 2008)

cloudkicker: I was thinking the same thing.

24HourPriapism (April 30, 2008)

what the hell is shai halud?

NotPatriotic (April 30, 2008)

This is a terrible terrible album. Tracks 1-3 terrible. Tracks 4-6 (the cover songs) terrible. Cut the Tension is a disgrace. Some of the joke songs (tracks 7-18) sound ok, but when those type of songs are coming from this band it just sorta doesn't work. Didn't a member of this band go on MTV Cribs or something? I think I remember hearing something about that, yet throughout this album this overwhelming theme is thrown at you that this band is somehow respected within the hardcore community. I am in no way affiliated with any hardcore community, but I find it hard to believe that hardcore kids respect this band.

cokeslurpees (April 30, 2008)

There really isn't any NFG that I don't like honestly. I know it's not normally accepted on this site but I must say that I am a fan. Good stuff here.

cloudkicker (April 30, 2008)

With the mention of Krishna hardcore, I'm guessing this is an appropriate spot to bring this up. In the scheme of things punk and DIY, a lot of hardcore kids don't stomach and can't accept Christian hardcore or punk. But why is it acceptable for bands to be into Jah (Bad Brains obviously) and the aforementioned Krishna bands? Christianity has obviously been a lot more destructive since it's got a much bigger following (everything from the crusades to prevalent iron age bullshit that seems to fuck up this country), but are the Krishna bands and the less "mainstream" religious bands accepted because they are more on the spiritual side? A good band is a good band despite it's religious rhetoric, but I for one got into punk to get away from religion. Anyone got any theories on this?

lookbackandlaugh (April 30, 2008)

I think 108 has been pretty influential. I mean, just look at new bands like I Rise and Soul Control... definite 108 influence.

thus_spoke_sean (April 30, 2008)

From your posts, you seem to have a pretty high opinion of yourself. You're not impressing anyone.

you fail to realize, he recognizes he isnt here to impress you or anyone else.

thanks for passing judgment though, it was a really constructive worthwhile post.

mattramone (April 30, 2008)

This thread is like flypaper for dumbasses. Guess that's why I'm still here.

christian (April 30, 2008)

xkidxdynamitex: i know its not punk to like this band alot. but i do

congratulations, you fit the profile of the "hxc" kid who "ironically" likes a pop-punk band. man thats so ironic!

From your posts, you seem to have a pretty high opinion of yourself. You're not impressing anyone.

no_face (April 30, 2008)

i really like this a lot

inagreendase (April 30, 2008)

Umm Ray Cappo, Youth of Today? I respect the reviewer for not knowing Shelter, but maybe pass off the review to someone who does, if nothing than to better understand the latter half of the album.

1) One song isn't a complete half an album.

As far as the most influential Krishna bands, one user mentions Shelter and the Cro-Mags, yets forget to mention 108, or even Baby Gopal (as far as ties to Shelter goes, heh).

2) He said prolific, not influential. Though 108 did have a decently sizable discography pre-reunion, it's easily surpassed by that of Shelter and Cro-Mags.

fallingupwards84 (April 30, 2008)

xkidxdynamitex: i know its not punk to like this band alot. but i do

congratulations, you fit the profile of the "hxc" kid who "ironically" likes a pop-punk band. man thats so ironic!

shamrock13 (April 30, 2008)

This disc is fun and that seems to be all it was made for with songs like Superhero Sellout which is just stupid as hell but you can not help but crack a smile.

SST108108 (April 30, 2008)

Umm Ray Cappo, Youth of Today? I respect the reviewer for not knowing Shelter, but maybe pass off the review to someone who does, if nothing than to better understand the latter half of the album. I would not recommend shelter for people who listen to that cover anyway, as they have a diverse catalog. As far as the most influential Krishna bands, one user mentions Shelter and the Cro-Mags, yets forget to mention 108, or even Baby Gopal (as far as ties to Shelter goes, heh). As for NFG I own their first 2 albums and enjoy them as a fun listen, thought I would check this out as someone said they tried to do a GCF thing.. Meh.

mattramone (April 30, 2008)

"Madball's got their back. MattRamone isn't stoked."

It's awesome how people who love Madball think I'm a pussy but then posi-up for the band that wrote "My Friend's Over You." Guess the dudes in NFG must buy all the drinks.

thus_spoke_sean (April 30, 2008)

i heard falsetree loves Cute Is What We Aim For.

louie_louie (April 30, 2008)

crucial youth.

damnitsderek (April 30, 2008)

Why do people that know nothing about "hXc", as the reviewer most ingeniously put it, review a bridge9 release. You dont know who Shelter is, fail. Totally "hXc", totallly.

Tool.

Jelone (April 30, 2008)

I'm sorry I haven't heard every band ever. I'm working on it. Based on NFG's cover, I def. would be interested in hearing more Shelter tunes.

sugarfull (April 30, 2008)

I'm not a huge fan of Shelter, and there's nothing wrong with the reviewer not knowing about them, but I would definately recommend everyone checking them out as they were probably the most prolific Krishna band next to the Cro-Mags, and were a pretty influential nineties band.

GlassPipeMurder (April 30, 2008)

Shelter is awesome. I have this but haven't listened yet. anyway...fuckin' Shelter, man...great stuff.

tenwestchaser (April 30, 2008)

I'll admit that I don't know Shelter either. Last time I checked, they aren't a Minor Threat, Bane, Botch etc....so what?

This sounds pretty fucking fun I think I'll pick this up.

xkidxdynamitex (April 30, 2008)

i know its not punk to like this band alot. but i do.
the ISHC is the best part of this release by far. i love it.
i really like the new songs and the covers, the lifetime cover is so spot on.
and how do you not know shelter? you really should do yourself a favor and pick up when 20 summers pass asap.

danperrone (April 29, 2008)

awesome awesome awesome!!

fallingupwards84 (April 29, 2008)

Why do people that know nothing about "hXc", as the reviewer most ingeniously put it, review a bridge9 release. You dont know who Shelter is, fail. Totally "hXc", totallly.

i hate people like you

MrStylson (April 29, 2008)

It's nice seeing NFG playing faster, harder music again, and ISHC is great for some cheesy laughs, even if it does get old after a few listens.

MrStylson (April 29, 2008)

Why do people that know nothing about "hXc", as the reviewer most ingeniously put it, review a bridge9 release. You dont know who Shelter is, fail. Totally "hXc", totallly.

You're proud of yourself, aren't you?

6000dollarsuit (April 29, 2008)

this band just needs to stop.

falsetree (April 29, 2008)

Why do people that know nothing about "hXc", as the reviewer most ingeniously put it, review a bridge9 release. You dont know who Shelter is, fail. Totally "hXc", totallly.

fallingupwards84 (April 29, 2008)

Tip of the Iceberg is the only song i've heard from this since its on their myspace and its AWFUL. jordan's voice is unlistenable

Anthony_A (April 29, 2008)

I really like Tip of the Iceberg and I get a good laugh out of the ISHC. I still prefer X One Way X and Good Clean Fun as far as jokey hardcore is concerned. It's cool to hear a little heavier sound out of New Found Glory.

eran_zombis (April 29, 2008)

Madball's got their back. MattRamone isn't stoked.

thomas7155 (April 29, 2008)

I must admit, I still like NFG, and "Screamo Gotta Go" is awesome!!!

skapunk810 (April 29, 2008)

honestly, a really good album....hope nfg keeps this pace up

branden (April 29, 2008)

i HATE HATE HATE the cover art. it looks horrible.