Chuck

by

Sum 41

Edit

Since Sum 41 burst onto the scene with their tongue-in-cheek, take it with a grain of salt hit, "Fat Lip," I've been a fan. While everyone was labelling them as a novelty and a passing fad, I was just hoping they would stick around to keep making more refreshing, fun and unique punk records. 2002's "Does This Look Infected" made good on a promise of more metal influence, and in turn created almost a new face for the band which is pushed even further on "Chuck." Now hold on, I know, to use metal and Sum 41 in the same sentence seems absurd, and may ruin what little chance I have of being accepted into any metal community, but Sum 41 embrace the old-school metal influences and turn them into completely original and, well, entertaining compositions. Sum 41 move further away from the label of just being snotty trouble makers and take things more seriously than ever before, with obvious Metallica and Iron Maiden influences to boot. The politically inspired first single "We're All To Blame" sets the tone for this album, a breezing, fast-moving piece that never lets you down for one minute. The next single "Pieces" embraces the more melodic and down-to-earth side of the band, while the almost Oasis-esque "Some Say" takes things in completely unexpected directions. The rest of the album is filled with familiar, fast paced songs that will put a grin on the face of any fan. Not bad for a band that rapped about Judas Priest and mullets in the past. If you never liked Sum 41 before, you might still like this album. It's got something for everyone, it's very entertaining, addictive, straight, and to the point. You don't have to be a fan of pop-punk to enjoy "Chuck," because Sum 41 are too good and too special to be placed in that category.

Although I really like sum 41, this album does not show the creative spark of their first three albums. According to the cd insert, the cd has something to do with war, somthing about the congo. If there is a story, if they are trying to get a point across, i am not getting the picture. Are they anti-war? anti-american? the cd relies too much on rhyming day ,away, and way and the lyrics aren't focusing on anything in particular across all the tracks. the guitarwork is great as usual, even if nothing creative or new from the first 3 albums. there were some stringed instruments on one track, nothing too fancy, similar to green day's use of strings

to me, it seems like the band was greatly affected by some experiences with war in some poverty-stricken nations, but they lack the social vision and maturity to convey exactly what is important about what they saw. they need some deep reflection and a larger vocabulary in order to grapple with topics like war. it doesn't really add anything to say "there's no solution", although day clearly rhymes with away as they demonstrate on at least half of the tracks. the band could be angry, or they could be making on stand on an issue, but i'm really not sure.