Customer Reviews

S & M Airlines

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I bought this CD, I thought of it more as an expansion pack to "I Heard They Suck Live" than another NOFX CD. I had wanted to hear the original versions to the "S+M Airline" songs on the live CD and the rest of that CD. To my surprise, after I bought it I realized that I might actually like this disk MORE than "I heard They Suck Live". However, I have to say I was disappointed with the studio version of "Life O'Riley". The concert version is so much better! Without El Hefe, NOFX ska pretty much su:cks. However, that's not all of it. The guitar (punk) during the chorus is better and has a lot more texture in concert. However I was still satisfied with the studio version of "You Drink, You Drive, You Spill".

Despite the 5 stars, I would have to say that their newer work is much better then this. The greatness of this album just doesn't compare with the greatness of "The Decline" "So long..." or even "Pump up the Valuum". However, There is one superiority "S+M Airlines" has to their newer work: guitar solos. After all guitar solos are what NOFX does best. On here the songs are longer, giving NOFX more time in the beginning to rock it out without any words. Most of the time the vocals don't even start until about a minute into the song. In fact on "Drug Free America" the words don't even start until about 2 minutes into the song. I think this is how NOFX still should be writing all of their songs. However despite these technical improvements, the sound itself is greatly improved in their newer work.

The lyrics have greatly improved as well. I shouldn't even have to tell you that. Just compare the track listing to "S+M Airlines" to "So long.." or "Pump Up The Valuum" and you can tell that the lyrics are better in their newer work. Not to mention the lyrics to songs like "Day To Daze" and "Go Your Own Way" just plain su:ck. However, even a song that seems to contain good lyrics from the name doesn't. I thought the song "Screaming For Change" was going to be a great political anthem (like "The Decline" or "180 Degrees"). But instead, "screaming for change" is pretty much the only thing in the song they say. That, along with some dialogue where someone is asking someone to spare some change (money). As an additional note, the topics to the lyrics of this CD are much more explicit. There is a song about p0rn (Vanilla Sex), drunk driving (u drink u drive...), and a protest to sell all drugs for free (Drug Free America).

Overall, the song with both the best lyrics AND sound would have to be "Professional Crastionation". It's very "Ribbed" sounding (which is good). Also, with lines like "Professional crastionation it's a way of life" no teenager can help screaming out "HE:LL YEAH!!!!". I also really like the title track: "S+M Airlines". That song is probably the longest song NOFX has ever written other than "The Decline". It's about 4 minutes and 50 seconds! I also like the pure simplicity of the song: "Vanilla $ex". It has that same greatness that "The Brews" has off of "Punk In Drublic". So overall this is an amazing NOFX album. But then again, aren't they all?

S&M Airlines comes in a time when NOFX is struggling to become the band they are today. At this point, they have progressed somewhat as a band but were still searching for that unique sound that everyone loves today.

The sound on this album is more similar to Liberal Animation, but not quite as raw. Songs like Life O' Riley and Go Your Own Way show us where NOFX would be progressing in the future. It shows us the melodic sound of NOFX that we have become quite familiar with. This album features 13 new tracks with songs about Sex, Pornography, Laziness and Procrastination, and Mean People.

The great part about this album is that it contains funny tracks along with a good mix of punk rock.

You won't find NOFX bragging too much about this album or playing the songs too often at their shows, it is definitely not one of their greatest releases. However, NOFX fans can't complain to a band that has only been playing for five years. Tracks worth listening to on this release are Vanilla Sex, You Drink You Drive You Spill, Life O' Riley, and Day to Daze.

Depending on your preference I recommend picking up this disc after you have most of their better releases like Maximum Rock 'n' Roll, Ribbed, Punk in Drublic, and White Trash Two Heebs and a Bean.

Rating: 7.5/10

In the begining, before there was a wave of "SoCal" pop-punk bands that hit, there was a band who was infamous for there ludeness for immaturaty, and what happens... they are signed to Epitaph, and sold to the public. S&M Airlines, while not the best, was the first album to be manufactured in bulk for Fat Mike and Co. At first, it won't be the most liked album, but then you will here the last few songs. "Life O Riely" is an awesome song, with obvious ska influences, "You Drink You Drive, You Spill" is a humourous, yet serious song, "Screamin' For Change" is well... "Screamin' For Change", and you cannot leave out the hilarious cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way". But don't just listen to the last few songs, go back and listen to the title track, and the "Day to Daze". This album is so great because, well because NOFX still hasn't changed after all these years.

i love this cd, its my favorite nofx cd and possibly my favorite cd over-all. i had to get used to it, but after i let it play through a couple times i couldnt stop playing it. their recording isnt as developed as the newer stuff, but its true nofx sound...

When i bought this album i was happy, and when i heard it i was jumping all over the place!!!!!!!!!!!!! This cd is one of the best nofx's ever!! This cd is a hard hit, which will get you pumped in no time!! There's a really funny song called screaming for change.

I heard some of this cd. It sounds good, but i would get there newer stuff first, then get this cd.

"S&M Airlines" is the first NOFX album recorded for the HUGE punk/indie label, Epitaph, and it shows that it's their first. Yes, it doesn't have the great recording quality as "Punk in Drublic" or even "Ribbed", but it still shines thru all the muffled drums. "S&M Airlines" has blazing solos and metalish type riffs (check out Jaudinced Eye) that are missed on later albums, but the basic punk attitude is still there. Short, sweet and to the point. The only thing that makes this album lack at all is that it was recorded about 5 years before Hefe joined the group. To sum up, if this were recorded with NOFX's lineup of today, it would be one of their best.

This is one of NOFX's best albums and probably my personal favorite. It has a very vintage feel to it. Some of their catchiest and most excellent guitar work is on this album, and the lyrics are great! Best songs: 'Jaundiced Eye', 'Day to Daze', 'Professional Crastination', 'Mean People Suck', 'S&M Airlines'

Very Hard To Find If You Consider yourself a Real Nofx Fan It's A Must Have Great music And Amazing Songs.....Pogo

this might be my favorite nofx album. it has a lot of fast-paced and funny songs on it and it was recorded before fat mike's voice got whiny, and then got really whiny. five feet under, drug free america, jaundiced eye, you drink you drive you spill, vanilla sex are all great songs but they are pretty much all great. the only song that is kind of sucky is life o'reily. two heebs and a bean is the only runner up on this album, even though everything from ribbed to so long and thanks for all the shoes is pretty good. but if you want to hear really good nofx, and not that whiny, preachy, crap they have been trying to pass off as music for the last few years, then get this or two heebs.