MxPx

Item: Let It Happen
Author: Tony LaFianza

Let It Happen

(1998)

Reviewed by Tony LaFianza

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Label Tooth & Nail RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth1998

pop punk punk skate punk

MxPx does it again. Literally. This new record is a re-release of all their EPs and 7's, and it includes alternative versions of earlier material, with some previously unknown things. I also mean they've once again put a great record on the shelves.

When I reviewed their Going the Way of the Buffalo record, I commented that MxPx were maturing. I guess I have to take that back. The band may be maturing in the production end of recording, but this record of old, already released songs proves that, through the years, their stuff has always been well written and performed. Indeed, this is my favorite, and most pleasing MxPx record to date. This is the crowning collection of the Tooth and Nail days from the kings of Christian punk, MxPx.

Clocking in at almost 72 minutes, Let It Happen is what you might call punk epic. The title song is track 16--that's longer than most MxPx records right there, but wait!, track 16 is just the mid-point of this CD. That is right, there are 32 MxPx songs on this album! Yet somehow MxPx's punk style doesn't get tired. In fact, one reason Let It Happen is so good is that it's so long. Mike Herrera writes such good, hook-filled pop punk, the songs are always crescent fresh.

As always, the musicianship excels, and the pace is usually frantic. MxPx interprets some classic rock songs from the On the Cover sessions, and they rip through some original pieces that first appeared on the great Small Town Minds. Also included are the songs from Punk Rawk Show, music from the Move to Bremerton EP, and a couple from 17. Thrown in for good measure are songs that appeared on compilation CDs, and some previously unreleased music. All is driven by Herrera's dynamic vocal styling and bass. Tom on guitar and Yuri at the drums make up this royal trio of kingly punk energy and rapid-solid musicianship.

This CD comes in a flattering red package, which includes a nice book with great pictures. Although Let It Happen is mostly a re-do of older material, don't let that stop you from buying this MxPx masterpiece. Besides, most of you probably don't have the records from which these songs come. Let It Happen is a "punk rawk show"-case, from punk pop's prize show band.

4 tocks