| Artist: |
The Vandals |
| Title: |
"Look What I Almost Stepped In; |
| Label: |
Nitro Records
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| Reviewed by: |
Vinnie Apicella |
| Rating: |
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I'll tell ya, this one's worth the price of admission just to view the
cover. It's great! You've got this matador, red cape draped over one
arm, standing proudly exhibiting the steamy mess he was agile enough to
avoid while the waiting bull stands idly by, arms folded with an
expression of bewilderment! So, do we get an idea of what to expect
here? A quirky, offbeat and hyper reactionary new release that follows
on '98s "Hitler Bad, Vandals Good" and takes their well established idea
of punk rock hilarity to yet another intoxicating level - if that's
possible after fifteen years worth of badgering listeners with their
cattle prod-like exuberance.
Reminiscent of something like The
Descendants/All conglomerate, and maybe even The Offspring in their more
commercially active moments, are "The New You" and "Jackass" the perfect radio
hits? Could be, but why start now? Imagine the little schoolboy down
the block. He goes to school each morning, dressed in that cute little
suit and drippy haircut and basically acts the part until recess and
then look out! They have this clean cut way about them, musically
polished, frightfully dexterous and well-groomed, but you know right
around the corner comes this F-word spewing, vindictive little son of a
bitch that's ready to raise hell.
Fourteen tracks of pure adrenaline,
presented with a half-eaten tongue in cheek, no more, that counters every
politically correct stance and statement you've ever identified with
serious-minded street punks. Charming, disarming and altogether bloated
in excess, "Look What I Almost Stepped In" is a disgustingly fun dirt
bath of a record that will continue to overflow into the sea of
tranquillity as they playfully continue to pollute this genre, bending
fine art of instrumental interplay.
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