Customer Reviews

So Long & Thanks for All the Shoes

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

"Heavy Petting Zoo" kind of threw a lot of NOFX fans. The songs were slower and more obviously alt-rock derivative than anything else the band had done. Several songs clearly aped the style of Nirvana and other then-popular Seattle bands. It looked like the beginning of the end to some of us.

How wrong we were. This album is a blast, and falls just behind "Punk in Drublic" and "White Trash..." in terms of quality. They picked up stylistically where "Punk in Drublic" left off, and most of the better songs ("Kids of the K Hole," "It's My Job to Keep Punk Rock Elite," "The Desperation's Gone") are in that vein. There are a couple of ska songs, but this is not the dominant flavor of the album by any means. The variations ("All Outta Angst," the cool reggae "Eat the Meek") only serve as breathers between the more raucous, standard-issue NOFX punk songs.

If you have to buy only one punk album, make it "Punk in Drublic." But if you're buying a few, think seriously about this one too. Personally, I can't wait for their next album, and I think people who believe this one to be as weak as "Heavy Petting Zoo" should open their ears and realize that they are seriously in error. (Like I was.)

This might be my favorite overall album by nofx. All the songs are good and there's something melancholy about the album that I just dig. As for the review that said no songs are catchy, you also thought there was a guitar solo in kids off the k hole so...yeah you're opinion is pretty much useless. buy this album, it's awesome.

In the age of MP3's, CD burners, etc...buying the same CD twice would seem quite ridiculous, right? Well, this album was one of the first punk CD's I ever bought, and after owning it for a year I lost it like an idiot. The album and the band are so great I decided to go out and give the legends my support. It was not a bad decision, as I still listen to it on a regular basis; I still like it just as much as I did the first time I heard it.

So Long and Thanks for all the Shoes is simply the best of the best. After NOFX released 'Punk in Drublic' in 1994, they established themselves as the best punk band currently around. Trust me, punk does not get any better than NOFX. And this is easily their best album. The first track, 'It's my Job to Keep Punk Rock Elite' delivers a short and sweet message to MTV and commercial radio stations: Don't play our music, leave us alone, and leave punk rock alone. Lyrically, this album is a masterpiece. Songs like 'Kill Rock Stars', 'Eat the Meek', and '180 Degrees' deliver a serious and important message; whereas songs like 'Monosyllabic Girl', 'All Outta Angst' and 'Quart in Session' display NOFX's wity sense of humor. The album is strongly focused on encouraging people to stop being apathetic and to start caring.

You don't listen to a CD for the lyrics though, do you? Musically this is also NOFX's best release. Fat Mike provides great bass and enthusiastic vocals. The guitars (complement of El Hefe and Melvin) are very heavy in all but three songs, and are simply incredible as always. What really makes this album a standout compared to NOFX's others is the drumming. Erik gives the CD his best performance yet, with fast drums and a great beat.

I bought this album twice, so you really should give these guys some support. It is anything but a waste of money, and it will get you hooked to NOFX.

Some people may tell you that "White Trash" may be NoFX's best record, but I must disagree. This 1997 release is far superior to the elder, however, "White Trash, Two Heebs and a Bean" is still great. This CD is amazing. It's perfect for skating, displaying more ska than NoFX ever have before. It is fast paced, with cool lyrics, thunderous drums, and Fat Mike's classic bass and vocals. I love the hard edged guitars as well. My favorite songs on here are "Monosyllabic Girl", "Kids of the K-Hole", and "It's My Job To Keep Punk Rock Elite". Also check out Anti Flag, Millencolin, and Ten Foot Pole.

This is NOFX's latest release put out on Epitaph in 1997. It is slightly better than Heavy Petting Zoo, but still contains trendy, ska-influenced tracks like All Outta Angst and Monosyllabic Girl.

A bonus on this album is that a few songs are re-released from the **** the Kids 7" such as I'm Telling Tim (the song about Tim Yohannan, late editor for Maximum Rock 'n' Roll) and Murder the Government. However, Murder the Government is an edited down version and doesn't contain the lyrics... "wanna pay the lobbyists to kill themselves!"

This album is definitely not a disappointment to NOFX fans. There are some really good songs such as It's My Job to Keep Punk Rock Elite and Kill Rock Stars. Fat Mike also deals with the issue of being tempted to sell-out to commercial radio in The Desperation's Gone.

This album shows that NOFX has definitely progressed as a band. They can play better sounding music, and their recordings are more professional (good or bad?). Overall, this is a good disc because it encompasses all of NOFX's styles of music: funny, melodic, serious, fast and furious.

I would recommend this first to the newer NOFX fans because it has friendlier songs that you can listen to. However, for the long-time punk rockers - go pick up some of their older stuff.

Rating: 8/10

I've been a big NOFX fan for a 6 or 7 years now and i just got this cd. Every song is great except for I'm Telling Tim. Theres not a day that goes by that i dont listen to this cd. But i was surprised with the lack of profanity and offensive material that usually makes its way in every NOFX album. I'm going to write a review on each song despite how [dumd] it is to do it.

1. It's My Job to Keep Punk Rock Elite - Awsome song, not very long, but it has a lot of energy and good lyrics. One of my favorites.

2. Kids of the K-Hole - Another great one. One of the Top songs of the whole cd. Again, alot of energy and fast drum playing.

3. Murder the Government - Funny song to listen to if your "Anti" really short. I dont listen to it that much but its still great.

4. Monosyllabic Girl - Kind of a dumb song that just talks about a girl who speaks in one syllable words. Catchy but gets boring.

5. 180 Degrees - The best song on the whole CD. I heard this song about 2 years and bought the CD because of this song. Its a good anti song. A lot of energy. It drifts in and out of a punk and Reggae/ska sound.

6. All His Suits are Torn - Really cool song that old NOFX fans will appreciate more than the newbie poser NOFX fans

7. All Outta Angst - Catchy ska song. Really good.

8. I'm Telling Tim - This song [stinks]. I dont know why they put it on here. It starts out alright but it gets [dumd] when Fat Mike starts singing.

9. Champs Elysees - Really cool song. The funny part is its all in French. The beggining starts out great, then it shifts into a more ska type of song.

10. Dad's Bad News - Great song, One of the best. Its really catchy with a cool chorous and good guitars.

11. Kill Rock Stars - Awsome song. One of the more punk songs on the cd. Fast drums and guitars. really good.

12. Eat the Meek - This song is a great reggae/ska song. It talks about corporate take over or something like that. Pretty cool.

13. The Desparation's Gone - Great song. Another More Punk song. Starts out like some indie song. But it gets good when Mike starts singing

Flossing a Dead Horse - This songs alright. Its a jazzy type song that gets heavier as it progresses.

15. Quart in Session - Catchy sing-a-long song about beer and stuff.

16. Falling in Love - Really good song. The only bad part is how short it is. Has a short howars stern thing at the end which is pretty cool.

Hope this helped. This Cd is great.

I got into NOFX through "Pump up the Valuum" but I would definitely say that this is definitely their best album, at least in my opinion. I always find myself singing along to this one, and I feel this album probably flows the best out of all of their library. I will admit this one and Punk in Drublic are neck and neck though. So, if you are thinking about checking out NOFX, this album or Punk in Drublic are both good starter choices.

...for me at least. i can always go back to this album when i get bored of what im listening to. i've owned this cd since 1999 when i discovered NOFX. i like it better the punk in drublic. if you have never listen to nofx before i suggest getting this cd first and going from there.

NOFX are the GODS of punk! With this cd we can once again marvel at the birlliance of Smelly, Melvin, El Hefe and Fat Mike! This is by far one of the best albums of all time. The speed and lyrics syncronised with the guitars and Bass........WOW! Indeed an absolute Beauty! If any one is considereing what sort of punk to listen to of if they are looking around into punk for the first time, well you need this album because you will hooked, Its THAT AMAZING. Everyone needs this cd!
Cooey

NOFX founded in Los Angeles, California, USA in 1983 and despite a slow start, they have managed to become one of the most omportant names in Punk.
Musically we can be forgiven for ever believing that NOFX lack talent, but as the music depicts more than just enjoyable choruses, they have produced a number of cracking albums, all of which are lyrically humorous.
Having started on the 'Mystic Records' label, NOFX finally moved to Epitaph, a label that had the NOFX interests at heart. Following Liberal Animation (1988), S&M Airlines (1990), Ribbed (1991) and White Trash, Two Heebs And A Bean (1992), Punk in Drublic (1994) was released.

The pumping guitars liven almost every inch of this record whilst the somewhat whiny voice of lead singer 'Fat' Mike retains all punk vocal authenticity, the upbeat style helping the music hang in the head for days after. This style lasts until the last two songs which help you to settle down into life's normal routines once again.
For all the punk that exists, NOFX have created what is at the pinnacle of this scene. The afficionados can't have missed this album.

A year later We Heard They Suck Live (1995) was released. It combined a true punk rock show with all the usual NOFX antics and self-created immaturity. NOFX can be truly appreciated live, the album doing them justice, leaving the listener wishing they had caught the band live sometime, unless of course you have already experienced one of the greatest shows in the world for yourself.
After Heavy Petting Zoo (1996) NOFX released the vibrant So Long And Thanks For All The Shoes (1997).

So Long kicks off with the most impressive energy charged track as a virtual introduction for what is to follow. However the style changes quite abruptly. The NOFX attitude to life is captured in a short track aptly named Murder The Government. This view cannot be widely shared but it makes for a truly rocking track that aids rebellious teenagers in their search for individuality.
So Long incorporates a wider range of musical styles, from the Ska influenced trumpet tracks to Champs Elysées, a catchy version of a French song.
The album ends with the penultimate song providing the best lyrical attitude to fame "My parents said I had no common sense but now look at who's got all the dough" . The amusing bonus track is as genuinely disrespectful to themselves as it can get, but a view that is unlikely to be commonly shared amongst the mainstream following.

The most recent addition to the NOFX anthology is Pump Up The Valuum (2000), another truly masterful creation.