Straight Ahead

Pennywise

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 8, 1999)
• Original Release Date: June 8, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Epitaph / Ada
• ASIN: B00000IYWJ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #17,447 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
OK, there's no way around it. Pennywise often sound an awful lot like Bad Religion. But in some ways Pennywise's biggest flaw is also their greatest strength. The band's melange of power and melody suits them well, making songs like "My Own Country" and "Victim of Reality" as engaging as Bad Religion cuts like "You Are (the Government)" and "21st Century Digital Boy." Indeed, Pennywise's penchant for hooks maximizes the impact of their more bombastic material, allowing them to play at blistering speeds without dissolving into a dissonant blur. "Can't Believe It," for instance, pummels with hard-core beats and buzz-saw guitars, and still manages to incite uncontrollable bouts of grinning and head bobbing. And when Pennywise find a groove, as on the metallic anthem "Can't Take Anymore" or the harmony-laden "Alien," they're one of the most captivating pop-punk bands on the indie circuit. --Jon Wiederhorn

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To mister Jon Wielderhorn, November 10, 2004

By	Andre Guerreiro "byo" (Brasil) - See all my reviews

You don't know what you're talking about, man. Comparison is the worst form of judging a band (and art, for that matters). I hate when people criticise something using a comparison as the strongest point of their views. This is ridiculous. Althoug BR is also an awesome band (even older, maybe wiser and a direct influence over every hxc band such as Pennywise) you can't say they sound like PW. If you do think so, then there's something wrong with you and you shouldn't be allowed to review albums like this. If you have an oppinion, then it's OK. But never compare. Yes, they are fast. They are melodic. And they're the best on what they do right now.

This album is epic. 17 songs of pure power tearing apart the walls of conformity like no other punk release. Unforgettable songs and yelled vocals which will make you jump without control. This is Pennywise.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LISTEN TO PENNYWISE!!!!!!!!!!, October 2, 2004

By	Susan Harvey "KMKween" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I actually give this album(and Pennywise)10/5 stars. They are a perfect band. They are great musicians and their lyrics are raw and relate to real people. This is by far my favorite album, there is not one mediocre song on here. Badge of Pride is one of the all-time great punk songs and a Pennywise classic. They have never sold out and always stay true to their roots. so many of my favorite Pennywise songs are on this album, it's hard to count, but here's the top 5-Badge of Pride, Can't Take Anymore, Greed(Byron's drumming is out of control!), Straight Ahead, My Own Country, and American Dream. Buy this album, you won't ever regret it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The most radio friendly album, September 27, 2004

By	The Ricker "A to the X" (Oakland, CA. United States) - See all my reviews

You can say that Pennywise sold out because they had a couple of singles, "victim of reality" and "Alien", off this album. The truth is that even though this is a little slower album in some parts. It is probably the most branching out that Pennywise is going to do. Most of the songs are still very aggressive and the lyrics are always meaningful. I think this is a very good follow-up to Full circle which is a good album. Best songs: "Greed", "my own country" and " badge of pride"