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The Methadones

Ill at Ease (2001)
A-F Records

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Contributed by: dlangl4
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on August 14th 2009

If you don’t know how the Methadones sound by now, you must either be new to the pop-punk scene or extremely forgetful, because it’s hard to forget a band this fun. Ever since the band’s first full-length from 2001, Ill at Ease, the Methadones have consistently provided albums that sects of their fans considered to be their favorite or “the best.” With killer albums such as This Won’t Hurt… and Not Economically Viable, it’s hard to single out which is the best, speaking objectively, when the truth of the matter is, they’re all great.

I, however, have made up my mind. Ill at Ease is my favorite album by this band, and with good reason: This album has a unique sound to it not found on any other Methadones record, a sound that is addictive and propels this album into greatness.

In fact, this unique sound might not be found on any other punk album. At least, not that I know of.

But are all of the elements of a Methadones album present? Of course: three and four chords that possess the catchiness of H1N1; unrelenting power-pop that never gets old despite sounding similar to every other band of the genre; introspective and personal lyrics that every pop-punk fan has come to expect from vocalist Dan Vapid.

But the sound here is different. This isn’t just power-pop. It’s darker than that. It's power-pop plus something else. Clocking in at just under 33 minutes, these 10 songs leave nothing to be desired except for more of it. I wish they would release just one more album that sounds like this, where Dan Vapid somehow manages to not only harmonize his voice in a deadpan tone, but also the guitar riffs and chords blast the listener in a way that is both deadpan and catchy. The result is a concoction of addictive power-pop that seems to bleed through the speakers effortlessly, as if they weren’t even trying to make music this good.

Which Methadones album is greater than the others? Who cares. When it comes to the Methadones, you can’t go wrong. Every release of theirs is solid. Start here, and work your way through. You won’t be disappointed by one of the best pop-punk bands going today.

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killtaker (August 17, 2009)

I think that This Won't Hurt is my favorite but the reviewer is right that all of their albums are great.

dlangl4 (August 16, 2009)

PS, this isn't a perfect or classic record. Notice I only gave it 4 out of 5 stars. Just because I have very little to say when it comes to the cons of an album does not equal a perfect record by any means.

dlangl4 (August 16, 2009)

*Correction: "...other than to avoid reviewING albums..." obviously.

dlangl4 (August 16, 2009)

@ skolarx

So you would have me review albums that have already been reviewed instead of reviewing an album that hasn't been reviewed yet? I picked this one because it hadn't been reviewed and because all the others had.

Also, my comments and score were as objective as I could make them. Did you want me to arbitrarily invent flaws in this album? Because I can't think of any. I did by best to fairly describe this album. Not sure what else I could have done to satisfy you other than to avoid reviewer albums that I like solely to satisfy some kind of false appearance of objectivity for you. But to do that then all reviewers would have to review only albums to which they are indifferent.

skolarx (August 16, 2009)

no offense intended but this is why i don't try to write a review of love songs for the retarded, love is dead, re-animation festival,i wish my brother george was here or scream dracula scream. in my mind those albums are so flawless that i can't come up with anything bad to say about them so i can't be objective. not saying anything bad about this album, as it is incredible but more saying that a review of their worst album in the reviewers's opinion might have been more insightful

Apeman_on_the_Moon (August 16, 2009)

Sorry To Keep You Waiting is their best song.

clamum (August 15, 2009)

Love this album. "Whole Lot of Nothing" and "Hygiene Aisle" own me.

cyanotic (August 15, 2009)

I agree, Whole Lot Of Nothing is incredible. Love this album even though I only checked it out after seeing this review.

TheMike (August 15, 2009)

I forgot about this album. "Whole Lot of Nothing" is fantastic.

R3vengeTherapy (August 15, 2009)

I still like Career Objective the most, but this was the record that got me even more into pop punk. I usually stuck to Milo Goes to College and Boogadaboogadaboogada before this came out. Score is for my fond memories.

Spooky (August 14, 2009)

Score is for "Solitude" (assuming my score shows up and I don't look like an idiot) That song kicks ass.

blatz_me (August 14, 2009)

The Methadones are great. I like This Won't Hurt slightly more though. I think Vapid's lyrics and voice is what seperates them from the power-pop pack.

xshoutoutx (August 14, 2009)

2nd favorite Methadones release, right behind "This Wont Hurt."

Also... firsties!