NOFX albums have always started out badly for me, and I've always been convinced that this was going to be the first really shit record since Punk in Drublic. "Linoleum" and "It's My Job to Keep Punk Rock Elite" I never really liked; though both grew on me. "And Now for Something Completely Similar" was annoying, partly because it mentioned "Linoleum," though not so much so as that sample at the beginning of "The War on Errorism," but, fuck, both were over and done with pretty quick. And, following that pattern, "60%"is a pretty bad song that's becoming more tolerable with each listen.
And, a week's worth of listening usually has convinced me that the songs on Wolves in Wolves' Clothing are as good as anything else that NOFX have released.
Musically, NOFX tread very similar ground, though, with the number of shorter songs that appear on the record, it feels a lot like So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes.
Fat Mike's lyrics are as creative and witty as ever. He sounds a little bit angrier, a little more cynical, and, as a result, his lyrics are just that little bit more pointed. Also, unlike Errorism, Wolves is a bit more consistent thematically as far as a NOFX political/social record goes. Of course, there are still the slighter songs dealing with weird sex, the punk scene, etc, but, then, a NOFX record wouldn't be a NOFX record without them. It's also nice to think that they're going to continue what they started with The War on Errorism.
Fat Mike also serves it up hot and fresh to the religious right, which is pretty much OK by me. It's a telling sign of how much things have changed, how much religion has infected American politics, since the days of Punk in Drublic's "Happy Guy".
Basically, it's a very good record, definitely worth the twenty bucks you'll have to pay to own it. Also, it comes with a Fat Wreck Chords sampler, which I've yet to hear.
'til your heart blows up from those shitty lies
Reviewed on Monday, 8 May 2006