Enema Of The State

Musically, vocalist/bassist Mark Hoppus, guitarist Tom Delonge and drummer Travis Barker still play the band's trademark pogo-tastic melodies, crunchy three-cord guitar riffs and power-pop choruses. But despite the seemingly casual and throwaway nature of the songs, the band has somehow managed to create a record that will make you feel happy and glad to be alive on a planet that's full of misery and depressive thoughts.
Blink-182's song themes all tend to revolve around the subject of disastrous relationships, lost loves and bad break-ups. But it's all handled in such a humorous and tongue-in-cheek style that you really find yourself smiling instead of feeling sorry for them. For example, observe the following verse from the track 'Don't Leave Me': 'I said; ''Don't let your future be destroyed by my past''/ She said; ''Don't let my door hit your ass''. See what I mean? Other songs like their current modern rock hit 'What's My Age Again?' see the band exploring a love for prank calls and other teenage delinquencies, even at their much older ages. The verse; ''Nobody likes it when you're 23/ And you still act like you're in freshman year'' is certain to go down well with millions of young adults who probably feel alienated for still doing the things that they loved to do when they were in their teens - like reading Spiderman comics and collecting Star Wars toys.
But more than anything else, one gets the strong impression that Blink-182 wishes for the triumph of nerds and geeks everywhere over the so-called 'cool' and 'popular' people of the world. It's almost as though they feel tired of the hip and trendy ones always getting the girls and other breaks in life; while the just-average types are largely ignored because they are not as immediately charming or arrestingly good looking. And yet; by wearing their hearts on their sleeves with their revealing lyrics and sincere storytelling style; the band has managed to endear itself to thousands of new fans. As proof; 'Enema of the State' has already been certified gold in America, with sales increasing every week. Thus, it's safe to say that the band members have in their own way, and by their own means; become extremely cool and popular - and have managed to enter the circle of 'in' people after all; whether they actually wanted to or not.

On their 1997 release, Dude Ranch, juvenile hardcore-pop band Blink 182 tickled the funny bone with an assortment of dumb sex jokes, off-color artwork, and between-song skits, including one of a dog drinking from a freshly peed in toilet. So, two years down the road, have the band matured at all? One look at the cover of Enema of the State, which features cover art of a tarted-up blonde nurse donning a rubber glove, provides the easy answer. Fortunately, Enema supports the humor with strong musicianship. The songs are more dynamic and multitempoed than those on Dude Ranch, sounding like a cross between the Descendents and Fountains of Wayne. And unlike the glut of alt-rock releases that offer one or two memorable songs, Enema is flush with instantly memorable melodies and ear-pleasing harmonies. Good, dirty fun--no more, no less. --Jon Wiederhorn