BLINK 182 Take Off Your Pants And Jacket
BLINK 182 The Urethra Chronicles
CD / Video review

Blink 182 with a dark, foreboding side? Surely not; but the semblance of their latest album certainly gives that impression. Black cover, no amusing photographs or face pulling; just the boys on the back wearing black, looking pretty darn moody. Could Blink 182 be on the turn?

It would certainly seem that way at first, and I don't think they've made the best choice here because packaging is important, it sets the mood for the record before you play it and mean & moody is the last thing we want or would expect from punk pop pranksters, Blink 182.

Actually playing the album is a different story where TOYPAJ is revealed as being every bit as cheery as their previous two albums, 'Dude Ranch' and 'Enema Of The State'.

Opening track 'Anthem Part Two' is an explosive, powerful start with what seems like serious side to it after hearing opening lyrics "Everything has fallen to pieces, Earth is dying, help me Jesus". Now I doubt they've had a sudden 'road to Damascus' style conversion here more likely they were just looking for a rhyming word.

But then the song seems to delve deeper into serious, adult issues; "Corporate leaders, politicians, kids can't vote, adults elect them". I think that's the big appeal of Blink though; they're around about 25 by now, but still act as if they're teenagers. Maybe that's why I like them so much; most people I know are mid-20s teenagers.

And the feeling is carried in other teen-esque songs such as 'First Date' where you can't help but feel the sincerity and nervousness of a first date in Tom when he sings "Is it cool if I hold your hand? … Honest, let's make this night last forever".

I can't help but feel that Tom has some issues on this album though. Most of his tracks seem like pretty serious stuff, especially 'Stay Together For The Kids' which deals with parental divorce. "Their anger hurts my ears, Been running round for seven years. Rather than fix the problems, they never solve them. It makes no sense at all".

Although both Tom and Mark sing it, you can feel the emotion in Toms voice at the chorus. It's a moving, emotional song, akin to 'Adam's Song' on 'Enema…' but the heartstrings are really twanged with the introduction of the piano at the end. Emotional stuff.

Anyway, I don't want to paint a dreary picture here; it's not all doom and gloom and there are some top pop gems such as 'Story Of A Lonely Guy', 'Everytime I Look For You' and current single 'The Rock Show'.

But you can't blame the guys for trying their hands at some more serious sounding songs; I mean you can't act like loons forever now can you? I think what makes Blink stand out though is the fact that they can write damned good pop tunes with a certain attitude. With talent like that they'll come out on top no matter what direction they take.

I know most drummers are ignored, but I think Travis deserves a big mention here. This guy is a fantastic drummer, fast and innovative, which is surprising because we all know that the best drummers are fat dudes. He really brings pace to the songs and keeps them fresh with fills between bars. I think if it weren't for him they'd be just another little three-piece punk band. But I don't think I can let him off for that EMF-esque cap, Travis what are you doing, mate?

The guys aren't without their trademark humour though with 42 second track 'Happy Holidays, You Bastard', and Mark singing "Its labour day and my Grandpa just ate seven fuckin' hotdogs. And he shit, shit, shit his pants, he's always fuckin' shittin' his pants" with what sounds like touches of anger. Still, you can't blame the guy.

After flicking through the booklet I can't help but feel that the guys are getting bored of their crazy image. I can't imagine that being the case, but the various photo themes inside of the three trying on different clothes just gives that impression. They just don't seem too bothered.

Maybe a more likely scenario is that some record company guy suggested this idea, which the band really didn't want to do, and they just had to go along with it. "Ok, we'll do it, but don't blame us if we look bored"

Initial copies of the CD come with 3 bonus tracks and the 'Man Overboard' video (which I can't actually get to play, but never mind). The three tracks are all good, with again a surprisingly serious sounding acoustic number 'What Went Wrong', and the disgustingly amusing 'Fuck A Dog'; only this bunch could get away with a song like that.

They're like the kid in your class at school who could get away with grabbing girls boobs and just being called 'cheeky', whereas if you or anyone else tried it you'd get slapped and ostracised by all those close to you.

I picked my copy up from HMV for one reason only, there was a deal where you'd get their video 'The Urethra Chronicles' for £3.99 when you bought the CD.

I'd seen a R1 version of this on DVD a while ago and it is a very funny film indeed. I'm not sure if it supports the original £11.99 price tag with it only lasting for 45 minutes, but for £3.99 you can't go wrong.

The film basically follows the guys as they tour the world, a sort of video review of their antics around the globe and an insight into each of the band members, Mark, Tom and Travis. I do end up feeling sorry for Travis though; you get Mark and Tom being funny, giving the history of the band and featuring in some funny footage. But Travis only gets clips of him playing drums and then he goes on to talk about his collection of bicycles. Poor guy.

It's essentially a half hour long home video montage of the band and some of the crazy things they get up to, some examples being when Mark flicks a bogie into a good looking blondes hair from behind and when a roadie tips over the bunk bed that Mark and Tom are sleeping in.

It's all funny stuff but it should really, as with any comedy, be watched with your friends so you all get to share the joke. The video is ended with four music videos, 'Dammit', 'Josie', 'What's My Age Again' and 'All The Small Things'. The US version included the 'Adam's Song' video but I have no idea why it's been emitted here. Maybe it's because it wasn't released over here as a single, but that should be no reason not to put it in. It also says in the end credits that the video to 'M&M's' should have been shown, but there's no sign of that either.

So all in all a great little package; the album is what you'd expect from Blink, great punk pop with a lot of energy and integrity. You can hear that they've progressed, but still keep true to what they're about. We look forward to seeing them again in the UK.

CD 8/10
Video 7/10 (Would be 6, but for £3.99 it gets an extra point)

david twomey

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