98 Mute

98 Mute: After The FallAfter The Fall (2002)
Epitaph Records

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: BrandonSideleauBrandonSideleau
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on March 31st 200298 Mute is a band that is often unfairly overlooked as being merely a "Pennywise clone". Their last album "Slow Motion Riot" was my one of my favorite albums of 2000 and now the boys are back with "After The Fall", a 13 song LP that tackles issues ranging from drug abuse to friendships to social iss.

98 Mute is a band that is often unfairly overlooked as being merely a "Pennywise clone". Their last album "Slow Motion Riot" was my one of my favorite albums of 2000 and now the boys are back with "After The Fall", a 13 song LP that tackles issues ranging from drug abuse to friendships to social issues in society.

Soundwise, this album is very similar to the last album, except that this album feels a bit more blunt and aggressive. My personal favorites are "Injection", a song about drug abuse and self destruction, and "Bullet For You", a song about the meaning of a strong friendship. As usual, in "Pennywise-ish" style the lyrics are very positive and urge a change for the better, and the music gets you feeling good. They also experiment a bit in this one with the song "Small Minds", a mid-tempo tune that is a bit softer than the rest with the vocals still raging, it comes off as a very interesing and enjoyable song.

Overall this album is about what you'd come to expect from 98 Mute- fast, propulsive, positive, and socially aware. If you're a fan, you'll love it- if you hatem', you probably won't enjoy this album. That's my two cents. Your opinions?

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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.

Anonymous (July 24, 2003)

kick ass record. full score

Anonymous (June 15, 2003)

i think this album fucking rocks. Anybody that calls them a pennywise or calls them unoriginal is a dumbass. First of all, this new album sounds nothing like pennywise. Second, I think this a new and original sound that is better than any of their previous records. The lyrics might be a little simpler but they seem to fit the music better. they don't seem to cram or bend the lyrics a ceratin way to make them fit the melody. Overall, this album is solid and i don't understand why people despise it so much.

Anonymous (April 9, 2002)

To the special ed student below me...
98 mute IS a Pennywise clone. 98 mute ARE unoriginal. They are called a pennywise clone because sound just like them & they bring nothing original to the table!!! When a person comments on this, the comment is not made in an attempt to create something original. It is a way of describing the band's sound, nothing more. Jackass.

Anonymous (April 2, 2002)

I've been listenin to 98 Mute since Theologian arguabl made these guys what they are.. Some people think not much... But come on... Pennywise clone..?? And your sayin they're not original.. Neither is callin a band a Pennywise clone... I think the albums good... Class of 98 brought all the goods but don't count this album out!

Anonymous (April 2, 2002)

I'm not sure i like it as much as Slow Motion Riot, but 98 Mute has definitely put out another great album. These guys are bound to eventually break away from their "just another pennywise" label with the way they have progressed musically. 98 Mute kicks my ass!

Anonymous (April 1, 2002)

I like the quote "soundwise, this album is very similar to the last album". C'mon we're talking about 98 mute, every album is going to sound almost identical to the previous one. When you think of 98 mute, "creativity" & "originality" aren't words that usually come to mind.

Anonymous (March 31, 2002)

sorry, im the guy that reviewed below, this is my real score.

Anonymous (March 31, 2002)

well im a huge 98mute fan, but i gotta say this album is nowhere near as good as the older theologian stuff. slow motion riot was pretty good, but the sloppy, boring, and retarded lyrics ruins the entire album. you could see signs of it in slow motion riot and it's gotten way worse. it's a shame too, the rest of the components are pretty good.

Material (March 31, 2002)

When I bought Slow Motion Riot I was very disappointed that I wasted my money in such Pennywise clone. The guitars sound the same, and if you carefully listen to it even the drums are alike. I don't know about the new album, but this is a pennywise clone

Huey (March 31, 2002)

Not that anyone cares, but I hate Pennywise & 98 Mute a lot. I don't know, their music just doesn't do anything for me, yet they are loved by many. Oh well.

Anonymous (March 31, 2002)

Definately, their best to date.
Different to SMR, because SMR had like 2 PERFECT hits and the rest was rather mediocre, but ATF rocks from beginning to end, bottom line.

Anonymous (March 31, 2002)

pennywise clone