War on Errorism [ENHANCED]

NOFX

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 6, 2003)
• Original Release Date: May 6, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Fat Wreck Chords
• ASIN: B00008WG3U
• Also Available in: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (176 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #65,091 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
A full 20 years after their formation, NOFX still proudly possess a rebellious spirit. Several of the tracks on War on Errorism name-check great punk bands of the past who's code of ethics NOFX follow. This album, it is made very clear, is real punk. Indeed, so keen are NOFX to distance themselves from mindless frat-punk that they've made a serious effort to address politics in an adult fashion. George Bush is attacked with vigor, as are imperialists, warmongers and greedy corporate directors. Listeners are urged to fight the apathy that keeps the masses in thrall to corrupt government and business. But no NOFX album could stay serious for long. Their heady mix of punk, pop, and ska demands a lighthearted approach and "She's Nubs," the tale of a limbless punk girl, and "Mattersville" about a community of punks on pension, are blasts of fun. --Dominic Wills

Product Description
NOFX have taken it upon themselves to rejuvenate the ties between punk rock and politics on their 2003 album. Finger-pointing directly at the presidency with songs like 'Idiots Are Taking Over' and 'Franco-Un-American, they prompt the kids to open their eyes. The enhanced CD portion includes a trailer for the independent film 'Unprecedented' a documentary about the 2000 presidential election, and exclusive animated NOFX videos. Fat Wreck Chords.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Politics and Fun? Together?, May 13, 2003

By	J. Nelson "jymiscool" (PENNSYLVANIA!!!!) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

That's right! NOFX gets very political... finally. It's nice to NOFX stop being so damn silly for once. But, don't worry, the War On Errorism isn't a complete stray from the standard NOFX style, but it does take a few nice departures.

Here's the album song by song:

1.) The Seperation of Church and Skate
A fast "old school sounding" punk song about how punk rock is very safe now-a-days. It's more or less a little diss for Good Charlotte and Simple Plan.

2.) The Irrationality of Rationality
Very fast song about how it makes no sense to rationalize things that are just plain wrong... like laying off 10,000 workers... or building tons of bombs... or why someone kills.

3.) Franco Un-American
Mid-Tempo song with keyboards... Autobiographical song about how Fat Mike went from being a guy who didn't care to a guy who wants to change the world for the better.

4.) Idiots Are Taking Over
Fast song about how morons seem to be running and ruining the world. A song about our current president? You decide...

5.) She's Nubs
VERY fast song about a girl with no arms or legs that shows up to a lot of NOFX shows. Super funny.

6.) Mattersville
Catchy, mid-tempo song about over-the-hill punk rocks. The best line has to be "At the end of my cul-de-sac... Davey Havok's house is painted black."

7.) Decom-posuer
Fast song about a really cool punk rock girl who may or may not be a posuer. Only time will tell.

8.) Medio-core
Mellow song about how today's music is very bland and unoriginal, not to mention contrived. (Think Good Charlotte and the Strokes)

9.) Anarchy Camp
An old-school ska song about a summer at Anarchy Camp. Super funny and you can skank the hell out of your skankin' shoes.

10.) American Errorist (I Hate Hate Haters)
A very fast song about how you should hate people that want you to not hate how the country is run or how the world is turning it's back on those in need of help.

11.) We Got Two Jealous Agains
A fast love song about how Fat Mike knew a girl was the one because she had a lot of the same records that he had.

12.) 13 Stitches
A fast, but very quiet song about seeing bands for the first time. Bands like the Descendents, DRI, and Millions of Dead Cops. Funny, but touching.

13.) Re-gaining Unconsciousness
A fast song about how the ruling class/government takes away your rights and no one cares because it's easier to not care.

14.) Whoops, I OD'd
Mellow, sad song about a guy who OD'd a year ago and now he can't have any fun.

Anyhow, there ya have it. If you like NOFX and enjoyed the politics of the Decline, then you will LOVE this album. Don't worry, though, it doesn't stay too serious for too long. The music is mostly fast and punk-as-balls. I own every NOFX album and I rank it as one of their best 3 albums.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A message to Americans that eat up the media's nonsense, September 28, 2004

By	Alan Pounds "Minnesota Hip-Hop Fiend" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

As the title conveys, NOFX takes a stab at politically fueled lyrics, speaking out on the media, George W's policies and a variety of post 9/11 topics. NOFX seems to be speaking to the punk rock community here, suggesting that we form our own community in a stance against our governments actions, and the media's lies and propaganda, creating consciousness in the young punk rock world. Fat Mike doesn't push his practices on America's youth as much as he just lays out the facts as he sees them to be. Fat Mike attacks the media several times, pointing out the fear they inject into America on a daily basis. Fat Mike makes his views clear, concise and easy to understand in a world that makes these issues so hard to swallow, let alone understand. Some first rate politically inspired tracks include "The Irrationality of Rationality", "Franco Un-American", "Idiots Are Taking Over", and "American Errorist (I Hate Hate Haters)".

NOFX does tackle other subjects on the album besides politics. "She's Nubs" is a hilarious song about a handicapped fan. "Medio-core" rips on rock & roll's ongoing regurgitation. Some of the tracks don't fit in the theme of "The War On Errorism", but they are a welcomed break in action from the seriousness on the politically fueled lyrics.

For the most part, this is NOFX at their best. Fans should not be disappointed with this one. Bush lovers may, but not the true fans.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars maybe a little flat when it comes to political commentary, but this still has what makes NOFX rule, May 18, 2007

By	Mr. Richard K. Weems "emperor_weems" (Fair Lawn, NJ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There are 2 categories of NOFX albums that I rate highly. In one category are the albums that excited me almost immediately and sucked me in from almost the first note--those would be Punk in Drublicand Pump Up the Valuum.

In the second category are the albums that didn't jump out to me at first--in fact, maybe I even disliked at first--but in time grew on me and got better and better with each listen. In this category, Heavy Petting Zoo and White Trash, Two Heebs and a Bean.

So I like this disc, and I would put it in category 2. I was a little put-off at first from the CD-ROM intro and opening to the liner notes, because I thought NOFX was a smartly political band--smart in the sense that they mostly attacked mediocrity and small-mindedness in everyday life, which reflected on the big picture, but was basically trying to change the people in the crowd rather throw garbage than the big heads on stage. They can be as mad as they want about the first W. Bush election, but I was afraid that they had fallen into the trap of bad, hackneyed political rage.

I was a teen in the Reagan era, and when George W. got elected, an old friend of mine said a very wise thing: "Man, this sucks," he said, "but at least we'll get some good music out of it." Probably the best thing I could say as a personal boon from the Reagan years was all the great, angry music that came out during it. Of course, there was a lot of crap (take child punk band Old Skull (Get Outta School) and their insightful commentary, "I hate you, Ronald Reagan!"), but I can wade through a lot of crap if it lets me light on an island called The Age of Quarrel or Suicidal Tendencies (s/t, of course). So I had hope for some cool music as the age of George W. began, and as much as I like to disparage Green Day, I found "Holiday" to be one of the best durn songs they've ever done.

But my first listen to this NOFX disc made me think that they'd fallen into the Pile of Crap category of angry political punk commentary. "The Irrationality of Rationality" is still one of the weaker tracks on this disc in my estimation, but luckily NOFX still take stabs at what they stab best--lame punk rock ("Medio-core") and sexual prissiness ("She's Nubs"). Later on, with "American Errorist," they abdicate more of taking a stand rather than a particular ideology, though I'm sure some dualist will have a disagreement with that assessment.

In all, this isn't one of NOFX's best efforts, but don't let the overt political messages distract you--there is still a lot of good, refreshingly funny NOFX in "We Got Two Jealous Agains" and "Whoops, I OD'd." They remain nicely contrary and rigidly independent from trends, whether those trends be in music or popular thought. I mean, YEARS after their musical proclamation that they won't play ska anymore, here comes "Anarchy Camp." The overt contradiction is nothing less than a good chuckle against the rigid, unimaginative realm of those who think there is such a thing as consistency in life.

To the boys of NOFX, I raise a Walker Blue to your continued health. Keep churning it out.