NOFX – Coaster

Who ever said Punk was dead?!…oh yeah, I did…except for NOFX.  One of the only bands that has managed to walk the razorblade dichotomy of ‘successful punk’ album after album while staying true to what punk should  represent.  The very idea of being punk is to be anti-establishment, profit-indifferent and (above all) COUNTER-CULTURE.  Yet the very purpose of being in any band is to express your views, have people listen to them and hopefully make a living doing so.  So how does one embody ‘counter-culture’ without marketing themselves to popular culture?  It is the familiar downfall of almost every punk band from the Sex Pistols to Bad Religion.  NOFX did it.  And their latest album,  Coaster, upholds and further solidifies their unique ability to make a living at punk while keeping it real.

How do they do it?  NOFX has cleverly employed musical, political and financial strategies to retain their enduring punk status.  Firstly, they said ‘FUCK YOU!’ to major labels and created their own label, Fat Wreck Chords, using their own good taste and sound business sense to produce themselves as well as the best punk bands around and, thusly, stick it to the man.  Secondly, they don’t take themselves too seriously.  Addressing issues from religion to alcoholism NOFX maintains a tongue-in-cheek tone, which compels one to take them seriously without realizing it.  A great example is entitling a song Blasphemy (The Victimless Crime) ’Blasphemy!?  Blasphe-you!’  Thirdly, and most importantly, they keep it real!  While some may criticize them for not evolving in their music, I say ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’  Plus, their lyrics have done more evolution than all other punk bands since 1994 combined.

Coaster’s first track We Called It America is my prediction as the single of the album but their catchy-yet-controversial song, Best God In Show, is probably my favorite pick from the album.  The bottom line is that NOFX kicks ass and always has, this album is no different.

The Point:  If you’re disappointed in today’s sell-out pop music and you need some punk in your life, take a deep swig of what’s on Coaster…it’s quite refreshing.

Track Listing:

1. We Called It America

2. The Quitter Download

3. First Call

4. My Orphan Year

5. Blasphemy (The Victimless Crime)

6. Creeping Out Sara

7. Eddie, Bruce and Paul

8. Best God In Show

9. Suits And Ladders

10. The Agony Of Victory

11. I Am An Alcoholic

12. One Million Coasters