No Fun at All

No Fun at All: Low RiderLow Rider (2008)
Europe

Reviewer Rating: 4.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: xcarlupanddiexxcarlupanddiex
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Published on November 18th 2008Anticipated by the first single "Reckless (I Don't Wanna)," here comes the brand new full-length by Swedish punk rock band No Fun at All, a band that, together with the likes of Satanic Surfers, Millencolin and Randy, shaped European punk in the `90s. After their 2001 breakup, not too long after the.

Anticipated by the first single "Reckless (I Don't Wanna)," here comes the brand new full-length by Swedish punk rock band No Fun at All, a band that, together with the likes of Satanic Surfers, Millencolin and Randy, shaped European punk in the `90s. After their 2001 breakup, not too long after the release of their slowest album, State of Flow, which was not very well-taken by fans, No Fun at All is back with a new, super fast and, most importantly, independent record.

The band left Burning Heart Records and is releasing this new album on their own record label, Beat 'Em Down Records, and the sound drastically goes back to the band's early releases: Vision, No Straight Angels and Out of Bounds are the kind of songs that come to mind, all shaken together, on this new record. Low Rider is made of 14 kick-ass songs, where there is no space for slow-oriented rock or such stuff. It's especially noticeable in the production, which is more raw and direct compared to State of Flow and makes the new songs sound better than ever.

The album is opened by the track "Mine My Mind," which has a kind of slow intro, but then it turns into a super fast-paced punk rock song, as the rest of the record is. Don't bother me if I use the words "classic No Fun at All" too many times from now on, because it's really that way.

"Never Ending Stream" is a classic No Fun at All tune, with some aggressive and fast guitar riffs here and there, and a slower verse; "Reckless (I Don't Wanna) is a 2:20 minute kick in the face, and the guitar riff infuenced by Black Sabbath's "Airdance" is the best thing to move you in this cold winter.

The band still brings me back to my early `90s, when I listened a lot to skatepunk bands, and I must say the fact that this band remained in silence for seven long years is a plus, because they are now able to come back as a new band that has nothing to do with the new trends.

Low Rider keeps on getting faster with good songs like "Anything Could Happen Here" -- it's like "Believers," but faster, with the super catchy "whoa"s in the choruses.

There is also space for little poppy melodies as on "Forevermore," which is a kind of mid-tempo song (very Bad Religion-ian style), and also "Sorry to Say," but the space to breathe is immediately filled with the old-school Vision sound on "It's Such a Good Thing" and "Man with Powers."

"Such a Shame" and its straight and intense drummings make me fall in love with this band even more, and "Such a Shame"'s non-stop harmonies deliver what is the true No Fun at All manifesto: aggressive sound and clever lyrics.

"Episode 666" is a cover song by metal band In Flames and it's nice to see a death metal song find its way into this record, even though I must say it's the weakest song of the whole CD. The record ends up with super fast attacks in the listener's face on "Wind-Up," "Willingly Unknowing" and "There Must Be a Better Way."

For the older people who did not grow up with modern trends, the internets and the one hit wonders, but with skate melodic punk, XXL shorts and NOFX shirts, I think this record is not just a must to be listened to, but most importantly, it brings back those memories and makes you understand how lucky we've been to start listening to music with this kind of bands that were more worried about letting the anger out with good anthems than caring about the look and the fashion.

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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.

Marchelo (March 2, 2012)

One of the best comebacks ever. I mean, talking about the quality of the recording. Not many bands can say that. Or maybe No Fun At All are the single one to be able to say that? I don't know, but... woah!

chadillac (February 12, 2010)

Glad NFAA reunited. I dig Low Rider. I was glad to see they went back to the O.G. NFAA sound that was missing in State of Flow. However, it's definately not their best album. I'm just stoked to see they gettin it going again. Hell yeah.

Jeevz (December 1, 2008)

I just got this cd in the mail. I like it. Sounds like The Big Knockover with a few more slow ones. Props to the Pennywise shout out at the end of the disc.

Daytona00 (November 29, 2008)

Listened it a couple of times and its a very good NFAA album.

Nfaa-Steven (November 24, 2008)

Hey!Thanx for the kind words and i hope you all give our new cd a spin,And hopefully you´ll like.Also Thanx for the words about our State of flow cd.I know it was very different,but i agree it got some really good songs.As i understand it nowadays people like that one,though we didn´t now what to expect when it got released.Hope to see you all out there next year,screaming to new songs as well.Take care/Steven No fun at all.

Jeevz (November 21, 2008)

I haven't listened to this yet but I just ordered it based on this review.

The best fast skatepunk cd's I've listened to in awhile are:
Reset - No Intensity
Hero Of Our Time - Civilian

Cos (November 20, 2008)

My old roommate is stoked for this. I know it.

kevinh (November 19, 2008)

Haven't heard this. Score is for In Flames

branden (November 19, 2008)

i dont really care about either bands, but thats pretty hilarious, and awesome, that they returned the favor and covered an in flames song.

erna (November 19, 2008)

great review!

almostpunkenough (November 19, 2008)

great review and even better album. long live mid-90s Epifat style skatepunk.

Phantom_Maggot (November 19, 2008)

I have never liked any of their material as much as I like their 30 sec song off of "Short Music For Short People".

wyzo (November 18, 2008)

looking forward to listening to this. I take exception to State of Flow being dogged on in the review though.

It makes a contrast to this record in the reviewers eyes so he/she can make the 'its fast' summary of why this record is good over and over. Understood and accepted captain.

But I loved state of flow. I know lots of people loved it when it came out, I know dave smalley adored it. I know lots of zines liked it.

State of flow was only underwhelming receptionwise because no one would get to see where they would go from there, it didn't have much push because they broke up and that was that. The album was much more than some skatepunk formula. I think when it failed it was still bold in its execution, but I think "Second Best" and "Waste of Time" are great, and its neck and neck with the big takeover for my favorite record..

anyway, carry on internet.

punk_rawk_show (November 18, 2008)

Songs ive heard from this sound sweet. NFAA fucking rule, hope they do an aussie tour for this release

nocigar (November 18, 2008)

You forgot Adhesive on that list of European bands, who were clearly the best.

ConsumedByMusic (November 18, 2008)

I loved out of bounds and no straight angles. brings me back to high school. Guess i'll check this out.

oldpunkerforever (November 18, 2008)

good review, sounds like my kinda sound-oldpunker-