NOFX – Self Entitled
NOFX – Self Entitled CD (Fat Wreck)
In the interests of honesty and clarity, I think I should admit up front that I love NOFX. Always have and always will. They’ve been a staple part of my musical diet since 1989, and some of the best nights of my life have been spent at NOFX shows. Hell, I lost a job, had to break into my own car and found myself on one of the most bizarre road trips in history in order to see the band, and they were, and are, worth of every second of hurt, embarrassment and financial woe that it cost me. Shit, I would have paid a hundred times what I actually had to, and I still would have considered it a bargain. But, much as I love NOFX, I can’t help but think that for the last decade and some change, as far as their albums were and are concerned, it kinda felt like they’d lost their way a little, like they were releasing albums because they felt, for some reason or other, that they had to, and as such the last four records felt more like they each had an EP’s worth of great songs rather than the ‘All killer, no filler’ records that the band had built their reputation on throughout the late eighties and nineties. However, that was then and this is now, and now, NOFX are back and they’re back with a vengeance and then some. ‘Self Entitled’ is the best record NOFX have put their name to since ‘So Long And Thanks For All The Shoes’, cranking the volume, speed and power to eleven on opening track ’72 Hookers’, keeping the accelerator mashed to the floor until the final chords of closing song ‘Xmas Has Been X’ed’ have finally faded. Fat Mike’s overtly funny and sometimes heartbreakingly sad, world weary, cynical vocals and lyrics are carried by the furious, punchy, catchy as hell one of a kind tunes that the band were once famous for, and thanks to ‘Self Entitled’ will be again. This is NOFX at their finest, reclaiming their crown, flipping the bird at the world, having the time of their lives while inviting each and every one of us to join the party. Goddamn it guys, thank-you, invitation accepted and hella appreciated! It’s bloody great to have you back… Tim Mass Movement
