It took five long years for the album to mature before being unleashed upon humanity.
Five years during which a lot has happened, especially with NOFX.
No matter what happens, my excitement for a new NOFX album is still the same as it was on the first day, or at least like it used to be. Back when the band was the icon of our youth. A youth that was shaped by punk rock, good vibes, and an attitude that is longed for. Longed for, because it will never come back like that. Man, those were good years.
NOFX, the soundtrack of my life. Many can say that, for some it might have been even more than for me. Nevertheless, I can't imagine my youth without this band. Everyone listened to this music.
And now?
And now I lie here staring at the ceiling, listening to “The Big Drag“ and wondering what has become of us all. What happened to us?
“The Big Drag“ is a song that surprises as an opener and simultaneously conveys the mood, the feeling that we old punk rockers over 35 have. We think of the old times. We think of the good times, of the people who have left us, and of what we wanted to change and what has actually changed. Resignation, silent anger, quiet disappointment, and then this song. Gloomy, somehow dragging down, somehow not NOFX at all. But the band is getting older too, and who would still believe in the lightness they had 20 years ago or more? Anyone who says “yes” now also goes to cover bands!
The first song of the album is, in my view, a very bold choice, but it also shows the cross-section of the album. It sounds unexpectedly mature and yes, somehow sad.
A playtime of over five minutes, back in the day three songs would have already been played.
Then comes “I love you more than I hate me“. Intense title, intense lyrics, and that typical NOFX sound. Punk rock... hell yeah! Even if the lyrics certainly don't sound sunny. More like flowers in the trash.
Song number three raises the bar even higher and is 100% NOFX! Just as you know them, just as you live them! Don’t label me in any way, because every label is a stigmatization and who needs that? “Fuck Euphemism“!! Take that, you politically correct people. Stop categorizing. Especially Fat Mike, who probably feels the song in his soul, doesn’t want to be categorized. Would you like it if everyone labeled you as something you are not, just because someone thinks you probably are? Do you want to keep explaining yourself over and over again?
“Fuck Euphemism“ is, lyrically and musically, the strongest song on the album for me. Also because the song is so typically NOFX.
Then it continues with “Fish in a Gun Barrel“ in a calmer, more contemplative manner. A heavy topic, a heavy text.
Even though the title “Single Album“ suggests otherwise, the album is overall quite rounded. This is mainly achieved by the lyrics, which often come across as personally reflective, observant, and often a bit resigned (or is my current state misleading me and am I misunderstanding this?). Some songs have already been released as singles, partly with quite elaborate videos, but it is truly not a collection of single hits, but a full-fledged album.
“Single Album“ is a mature, very personal album.
I hope it is not meant as a farewell and that we will still hear some albums from the band. They are certainly important and relevant, and you can hear with every second on the album that they still have something to say and that they matter.
