Blink 182 has a really tough act to follow, themselves. After the mullti-platinum success of Enema of the State, the bar has been raised rather high for the Southern California trio. Over the years, and especially in the 90’s, bands have exploded onto the scene with as much fanfare as Blink182 has only to fizzle out in attempts to surpass or at least equal their previous success.
Let me say right now that Take Off Your Pants and Jacket is a really good album. It is unquestionably one of the better releases so far this year. The problem with the latest Blink 182 offering is not really the music. TOYPAJ has all the required three note riffs and decent backbone we have come to expect in the psuedo-punk genre. It seems that Mark Houpus and company have not learned any lessons from the other acts like Green Day or Rancid that made the same mistake only to be shoved into second tier oblivion after huge hits. That error is to now take themselves a tad to serious. Like I have stated, I enjoy Blink 182’s new album but it seems some of the fun has been sucked out of it to try and make a statement. I don’t think I will ever be able to fully comprehend why a band find the undying need to fuck with what has worked and made them millions. Sure you can say that they matured. But when did anyone consider Blink 182 a serious band? Have you ever thought of them as the next band to start up a USA for Africa? I highly doubt it. Their charm is deeply rooted in the fact that they are utter morons. They are known as the Clown Prince’s of rock and roll and they would have been better served to revel in that status then trying their collective luck at becoming a band with a statement.
I cannot stress enough that Take Off Your Pants and Jacket high points definitely outweigh the lows. First Date is an outstanding look back for anyone who was a clumsy bastard with no clue about relationships. The perfect companion piece follows it as they rip into the short but sweet Happy Holidays. The first single, The Rock Show, is beyond catchy but you need the visuals of the laugh out loud video to truly appreciate the Blink 182 vibe. It is when they start brooding through the Pearl Jam-esque Anthem Part II and Stay Together For the Kids that they veer off course.
The be all, end all of the new disc is simple. TOYPAJ is a very good album that needs to have a few songs ignored. If I personally wanted to hear some serious, depressing shit, I will listen to Tool or Staind. They perform said songs much better for it is their niche. Blink 182 just need to accept the fact that they are the musical equivalent of the TV show, Jackass, and should write songs accordingly.
