Customer Reviews

Ribbed

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is the first CD where NOFX begins to become more of a poppy punk band some may say. However,with the use of great guitars and funny lyrics and an improving voice, NOFX releases their first five star album. The energy they have in this CD is amazing, great album, buy it.

NOFX's 4th album (if you include the early compiled tracks that make up the "Maximum Rocknroll" disc) is where NOFX locked into their now-signature sound in 1990. Not only did the sound production completely blow away their previous "pre-Hefe" releases at the time ("Maximum Rocknroll," "Liberal Animation," and "S&M Airlines"), but Fat Mike was able to finally conquer one of his biggest obstacles in NOFX with the this album... he finally learned how to SING! In addition, Smelly's drumming took on incredible leap forward here and was tighter than ever before, as did Melvin's guitar playing. As a unit, the band's sound with the release of "Ribbed" was officially in prime form.

This was the final album with blonde, long-haired, standout 2nd guitarist Steve "The Caucasian" Kidwiler (a.k.a. "Al Bino" and "Izzy Drew Lynn"), whose thrash metal-styled shredding and soloing would become a staple in NOFX's sound over the next few releases, regardless of his departure from the band and Fat Mike dominating in the songwriting department. However, Mike's technical song arrangements began to really shine through during this period, as did the band's Bad Religion influence.

The opening three tracks ("Green Corn," "The Moron Brothers," and "Showerdays") kick this record off ferociously and fearlessly... and if you don't love that blistering trio, you're very likely a weak excuse for a NOFX fan. Either that, or you're just too young to know any better. Beware, the opening riff of "Showerdays" will violate you like a tornado and is not for the common poppy-punky power-chord strumming Green Day fan. There is some really rippin' riffage all over this album.

Some of the early/continued NOFX genre swapping takes hold occasionally ("Food, Sex and Ewe," the second half of "New Boobs," and Kidwiler's "Together On The Sand") and it became apparent that Mike's striking lyrical abilities were continuing to blossom nicely in the humor department throughout the album. As well as a few other tracks here, those who own "I Heard They Suck Live!" may recognize "El Lay" from it's lyrically altered form of "East Bay."

This may very well be my favorite NOFX album. It easily holds just as strong with the next two brilliant full-length releases, "White Trash, Two Heebs and a Bean" and "Punk In Drublic." In fact, regardless of Kidwiler's departure from the band after this album and Hefe's entrance with "The Longest Line" EP, I personally see "White Trash..." as very much a sort of continued Volume II to "Ribbed."

It's because of these 3 aforementioned albums and this era of the band that I find it difficult to say that any other future NOFX release is "better," due to the band being at a very "been-there, done-that" point in their career once "Heavy Petting Zoo" and "So Long And Thanks For All The Shoes" came along in the mid-late 90's. Later albums from "Pump Up The Valuum" to the present day "Coaster" have shown NOFX growing into their age quite well with songs that are still sharp and very true NOFX brand, but in some weird way becoming... I dunno the word to use... "cuter?"

Along with some great tunes, the NOFX that created its distinct sound was found here on "Ribbed," and therefore, I have all the respect in the world for this album.

This is the greatest NOFX CD ever!!! All the songs are fast and energetic, and the lyrics are all smart and hilarious. It has some ska, jazz, and even an old 60's doo wop song. On the whole CD there isn't even one song that you would want to skip over. Once you start listening, I gaurentee you wont be able to stop.
The best songs on this CD are "Cheese/Where's My Slice","The Moron Brothers",and "The Malachi Crunch."

This is EASILY the best NOFX album. Whith some of the most powerful riffs in punk history. Check out "The Moron Brothers" or "El Lay". I've been a huge fan for about 9 years now, and this is a legendary recording.

Ribbed is NOFX's best album. Everybody and their grandma seems to say Punk In Drublic is their best album, but ribbed blows that one out of the water. The opening three tracks "Green Corn", "Moron Bros", and "Shower days" are enough to make this a classic album. NOFX play fast and crisp with awesome guitar solos and great vocal harmonies along with hilarious lyrics. Over the last ten years, or so NOFX's music has become very been there done that and Ribbed is full of energy and even some rage and just takes the band's humorous punk to another level. You'll get your fill of ear melting stearing wheel drumming jams and "The Malachi Crunch" is the perfect icing on the cake to this hard rockin' masterpiece. If you don't buy this you don't deserve to listen to NOFX!

this album is with no doubt the best material nofx have made,if you put on war on errorism or pump up the vaaluum then compare it to ribbed,well you cant.green corn comes in and wow,what a classic album.just a pity after punk in drublic things started slipping away,apart from the decline which is another masterpiece...at that time fat mike and co were punk f*****g.rock...

Just in case you're a NOFX fan...buy this album,is one of their greatest..let's begin with

Green Corn.......awesome fast song,MOron Bros. Classic NOfx tune,Together on the Sand......jazzy funny song......well I'm too lazy to go through every song......I'll give five stars to every song except for brain constipation....that would be 4 and the flu......that deserve three stars.....this is the first album that caught punk rocka's attention in 1990...cuz their' previous albums....were kinda good but most people didn't like 'em........so this is the beginning of this mythic idolizing punk band.........I don't want you around pseudo puck rockers.......

Another great album with unmistakable energy. Never fautering, you can listen to it the whole way through and never have a dull minute.

This album will be dissapointing to you if your into NOFX's later stuff. This is before Fat Mike learned to right good lyrics and melodies and none of the songs are refined enough. There is alot of potential in songs like 'Where's My Slice' and 'Moron Brothers' but both seem to just be bad precurses to better songs on later albums. Buy Punk in Drub, White Trash and So long... before you buy this.

If you don't know which NOFX CD to buy, listen to me. This is the order of good to bad: ........................................ Unbelievably Great: (5 stars) ................................................. 1. I Heard They Suck Live ................................................... 2. White Trash Two Heebs and a Bean ................................. 3. Punk in Drublic ................................................................ 4. Ribbed .............................................................................. 5. So Long and Thanks for all the Shoes ..............................

GOOD: (4 stars) ................................................................... 6. S and M Airlines .............................................................. 7. Heavy Petting Zoo ............................................................. 8. Liberal Animation ..............................................................

SO-SO AT BEST: (2.5 stars) ................................................ 9. Maximum Rock and Roll ....................................................

(that's not counting their two EP's)