In every generation, there are certain things that always are the same, two of these being: the need to ask and question the rules, and at the same time enjoy yourself doing it. In the 60's the new age of 'Rock n Roll' questioned the government and rallied the younger generations while also introducing them to new drugs and encouraging them to party. In the 70's came punk, telling everyone to fuck the rules and just party and since then this trend continues. In the 90's and still today, these influences are everywhere. If you imagine college parties in America, there are drunken, half naked cheerleaders, American football playing macho arseholes, preppy geeks and the cool looking, but now slightly ironic punk kids. Its a drunk riot, right out of channel 4's latest American soap, sick, sex and rock n roll, and this is where I would expect the fun, fast and party music (with a hint of rebellion) of No Problemos to sit there, looking cool in a pair of saggy pants.
'Proven Wrong' introduces No Problemos's brand of America style modern punk with a crashing drum start, before kicking in with a nice crunchy distortion and picking up speed like a snowball falling down the steepest of slopes. With a nice gritty vocal that builds the song nicely into a big chanting sing along chorus full of angst that reminds me of No Use For A Name or maybe NOFX. It is very catchy but still heavy enough to not be classed as 'pop-punk' and with some nice dynamic this bouncy, fast blend of punk music builds up to a peak with some great hook line lyrics. A very good start.
Second track 'Team 14' also starts with some nice drumming and a guitar riff that reminds me of earlier Blink 182 before they became cheesy and commercial. Once again it has a good strong vocal and catchy lyrics. Building to a fast chorus with some crazy drum rolls and interlocking, chanting vocals. No Problemos have a good punk sound and use some nice guitar breaks and riffs that build well using a distortion that shakes the room. It is the vocal though that really carries the songs, with his lazy drunk chanting voice Steve really makes the song build and you soon start to sway before feeling the urge to jump around like a fool.
'Chapter To Forget' uses the strong vocal to start and has a real 90's Americana punk feel but with its crunchy distortion and gritty vocals, it is more AFI than Felix TX. Using some nice stop, start guitar riffs and a driving drum and bass section, the fast guitar riffs hold the song together before over lapping vocals get the song really moving. The smashing drums and solid bouncy bass lines drive the song forward and add to the songs upbeat and energetic feel. The songs do sound slightly similar so far but it doesn't matter to much as it is fun and energetic music with great hook lines and catchy riffs.
'Mr. Nice Guy' is the 4th track and starts with a nice soft picking guitar before smashing into heavy crunching riff once again using repeating hook lines to maximum effect and doubling up on the vocals makes No Problemos's songs really stick in your head. This one doesn't have as much dynamics but has great lyrics and is high in energy and very catchy. With there fun feel it makes a fairly depressing lyric seem happy 'This is the story of my life' Steve sings, even if life is crappy, this sort of music would make even the most down and out of the down and outs say "fuck it I am gonna get drunk and enjoy it".
'Absent, Secluded and Disappointed' is the rather depressing title of track 5 and starts with a simple yet effective guitar pattern and trademark rough but passionate vocals before being joined by a second picking guitar riff and nice bass. The song nicely builds up slowly until crashing into heavier grungy riff. Its slightly slower than some of the other songs but still I feel at times No Problemos lack diversity, having said that they use their interlocking vocals and riffs to great effect and if your looking for fun, catchy punk music and like such bands as AFI, Fenix TX, No Use For A Name or Less Than Jake, you will probably feel happy to knock back your 2 pints of Stella and run head long into the mosh-pit and throw yourself around like a pair of old shoes in a washing machine while enjoying No Problemos's lively and bouncy punk music.
Track 6 is my personal favorite track as it shows a new side to their music. 'Frostbite (November Nights)' starts with a really nice soft clean riff and builds slowly, making the atmosphere rise and building your expectations really well. Once again using the trademark strong, gritty punk vocal before, with a big shout from Steve, they crash into a heavier version of the previous riff and bring in the other instruments. It's fast and furious and uses a really nice chord sequence before letting the bass and drums take charge and falling down before again building. This song has great dynamics and with the catchy vocals coming back in again for a final emotional barrage it builds up and comes down again, sending the listener on a roller coaster ride of fun and catchy punk music.
No Problemos's biggest strength on this well produced and tight CD offering is I feel their huge vocals that overload the songs and make them so catchy and energetic. It is a lesson in modern punk rock vocal and with nice overlapping riffs, driving drums and solid bass, it is very good punk music. I do feel however that this music is a bit dated. Some great bands have come from the USA in the last 10 years playing similar sort of punk music and I am just not sure there is a market for this any more. I also feel that No Problemos sound very American, which bugs me! Punk was invented in Britain and even though in the last decade most the well known punk bands have been from the other side of the pond, I prefer British punk to keep its roots. Even thought the vocal has a hint of Britain to it, it still has a major American twang and I think the guitars are a bit too polished for my personal taste in punk. I feel if No Problemos could mix their big, building, driving brand of punk with the more gritty and dirty influences of original British punk they would have a more interesting and fresher sound. But if you love American punk (and I do like a lot of it) then you will enjoy this band and if you want a lesson in how to build up punk songs using dynamics and emotional vocal hook lines…well that's No Problemos!
Review by Gaz
