Customer Reviews

Have a Ball

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Have a ball is a really great c.d. It is just a little side project done by some respected punk musicians (I don't think that's an oxymoron in this case) for fun. Their musicianship on each song is superb, and the music is, of course, great. My favorite song is "Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard." I also love "Mandy," "Danny's Song," and "Leaving on a Jet Plane." There really isn't a bad song on the album. Believe it or not, I even think that this album makes a bit of a statement. It basically says that today's mainstream music is pretty bad. Today's pop doesn't mean anything or have anything musical about it. It is factory contrived. It fits a formula. You get a pretty face, put the video on t.v., and it's a hit. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes just revives some of the good oldies (from when music meant something) with a newer punk flare. Buy this c.d. have fun listening (and laughing) with it. I guarantee that it is better than almost anything on the market today.

This punk-rock Supergroup features members of Lagwagon, No Use For A Name and NOFX, and has crafted a great and often hilarious record. I don't know half of these songs, but the other half are both rockin' and a chuckle to listen to. "I am a Rock" is probably my favorite; somehow it translates very successfully to the punk forum. Other standouts are "Danny's Song", "Fire and Rain", "Sweet Caroline" and "Rocket Man." The vocals are ably handled by Spike, suprisingly melodic and beautiful in places.

I was surprised to see so many reviews by people who didn't get the joke. This isn't a serious band, it's a bunch of guys from Fat Wreck Chords who thought it would be a kick to do a record of covers and get Spike to sing on 'em. I think it works, and there is legitimate musicianship here to appreciate. This one finds its way into my deck again and again... if you like NOFX and have a sense of humor (important!), this record is worth a whirl

What can I say? I love this album. after two years it still sounds great. I grew up listening to those songs and I have to say that I love what these guys have done with them. even my wife who is usually on the mellower side loves this album. I think what I like about it the most is that they actually play and sing the songs very well. It is not uncommon that when a punk band covers an old song they just scream or growl their way through the song with no regard for musicality. These guys combine raw power with musicianship which makes it even better. If you can find it there is a punk band out of Utah I think called clubber Lang and the Heavyweights who covers '80's songs in a similar fashion and they are also great. They have a demo cd that is excellent.

The first time I heard this cd I was dumbfounded, I knew the songs and I never would have imagined punk versions of them, but I'm glad they did. "Me and Julio" and "I am a Rock" are badass, and all the rest aren't much worse. The only downfall to this album is how short it is (28 minutes or something). Overall, there isn't much music out there that is more perfect to drive to.

Where do I start with an album that has so revolutionized my music listening? Or at least made it all so much better? OK, so what is this album? This is about five guys who spruced up and sped up twelve '60s and '70s...hits...in a none-too-serious but really GOOD punk-ish album. Yes, they're actually really GOOD musicians.
Let's talk about specifics. I love the beginning of "Leaving on a Jet Plane," and throughout the entire song we have a totally doofy song in its original that has been just blasted through--with the perfect results. "Me and Julio..."? Listen: I am a huge (yes, really really obsessive) Paul Simon fan, but I love this new version of his song; it makes my day every time I hear it in the Me First version. (Though the original isn't as lame-o as a lot of the others on here)This version is positively kick-butt and kinda hilarious too...
"One Tin Soldier:" Kewl. My mom almost had a heart atttack when she heard this, but you know, it's not really just a big joke. To be sure, this music isn't terrible serious and reverent, but I honestly love these reworkings of some BAD songs with...surprising potential. "Uptown Girl?" This is just what Billy Joel songs need. "I am a Rock"...old S&G are getting it pretty rough here, but it's GREAT! There's a great driving undercurrent rammed into this ultra-angsty-folksy song, and there's just something here that works PERfectLY. (Maybe it's when they yell: "I have my books/and my poetry to protect me"...not that I'm making any judgements...but come on it was a little bit of a hilarious lin to begin with.) "sweet Caroline"? Precisely what Neil Diamond had coming to him. This RULES. I really like "Seasons in the Sun," I think this might be one of my favorites on the album--great at such a speed. "Fire and Rain:" I mean, I already liked James Taylor, but this song was crying out for a punk version. And here, at 1 min 23 sec it has arrived, and it's fun and fast and it ends up making quite a rock song.
And of "Mandy," all I have to say is: how much do these guys RULE? Oh yeah, and "Rocket Man's" another catchy and rough splendid barrel o' monkeys.
Ok, so this is GREAT, understand? Like some quality punk-style music? Like the '70s? Like Bowling? Like HAPPINESS? Entertainment? Really great screams at the ends of songs? Well buy it! OOh and I especially appreciate this album because it was orginally released on LP!! Yow! So if you can, get that version, I think it would enhance the whole experience.

cool, that sums it up enough, cool. A cover band never sounded so good. Billy Joel, Barry Mannilow, Simon and Garfunkel, and even Elton John were all lucky enough to be chosen for a cover song by these guys. With members from NOFX, Lagwagon and No Use For A Name, these guys kick!

This is an incredible CD! Me First and the Gimme Gimmes debut album is one of the greatest punk masterpieces out there. The brilliance of these 70's songs still shines through in this new punk version. My favorite track is #5 "Uptown Girl", which I believe to be the best song that they do. If you're into punk at all, this CD is a must-have for you!

Campy and offbeat! It's great to see someone re-invent these old standards and show that good songwriting is good songwriting--even if the originals were corny and performed by cheese-balls!

To not appreciate the genius of this album takes a complete lack of taste in music...who else could make so many cheesy songs sound so good! its great to drive to, great to play for friends, its just a godsent.

Well first of all if you know the original songs it just makes this cd all the better plus if you happen to like Lagwagon, No use for a name, Nofx and swingin' utters .. you might want this cd. this band is made up of members from each one.. all very very good may i add