Before Everything and After--MxPx (Released Sept. 16, 2003)
I'm a huge MxPx fan so I was highly excited about the release of their
new cd after their long hiatus. As soon as I was roaming around
the streets of good ol' Ashland, Oregon and noticed the CD, I immediately bought
it (and had to hack money from other people just to buy it). As I listened
to the CD, I was surprised at the new sound yet sad at the same time.
The CD as a whole is filled with a lighter tone than their earlier
songs. I personally enjoy the new sound,
however, I wonder how the so called "old" MxPx fans are holding up or whether
they're holding up at all. I've read rants about it being too "poppy" and sounding
like other pop punk bands out there right now--and yes, in a sense it is
very "poppish". 'Quit Your Life' sounds like a very familiar pop/r&b song from my
earlier days as a 12 year old. And honestly, I never thought I'd type that an MxPx
song sounds like some pop song I heard before. Some of their earlier songs sounded
a bit "poppish" as well, however, there is something about this CD that just "doesn't
sound right" for lack of a better phrase.
The CD is simply hard to explain because it's so different. It sounds like New Found
Glory and then during those slow sappy songs it sounds like some R&B singer ballad.
Doesn't sound like your MxPx? Yeah...I was hoping for something a bit more fast and energetic--
something catchy yet not so much where you want to listen to it 10 times in a row.
Their CD is so light and almost a little too welcoming. It's
kinda scary actually. If you listened to their first couple of CDs and this one, I'm sure
you'd be beyond surprised at the change. But ya know, they're turning into old farts (ok
not really old...27? Not that old. I'm just being dramatic), and what do you expect?
As much as I would've liked them to continue the whole Teenaged Politics, Doing Time, Responsibility sound, nothing lasts forever...
Overall, although my review may imply that I am not a fan of the CD, I truly love it.
If you're obsessed with the old MxPx material and
do not like to try anything new, I wouldn't recommend buying the CD. If you love
MxPx regardless, go ahead and buy it! I warn you that "On the Outs" is a horrible
song though. It's very catchy but the fact that Benji Madden's voice is cracking/sounding
like he's extremely struggling to reach the pitch is unattractive and makes me cringe
everytime I hear it. Why not let Tom sing that part?! He is backup vocals right?
I think he's a heck of a lot cooler than Benji Madden anyways. But I won't say anything
else about that man...lol So yes. Final Analysis--Excellent CD (if you're into pop rock, which
I don't mind at all)!
