If you don't know who they are, The Muffs are a female-fronted rock trio: girl on vocals, and two guys on bass and drums. Her voice is the main aspect of the band, and either you like it or hate it. I've never heard another girl who's even come close to her signature sound: totally aggressive, with that punk sneer that makes it sound like she's got marbles in her mouth. Their previous albums have been pretty straight-forward punk with a 5% twist of country rock. The previous album (Happy Birthday to Me: Grade: B+) was all rock-punk, all upbeat. This one, however, shows a more mature sound, with songs that actually differ from each other. But mature usually means slower songs, and that's the case here, which is both good and bad for this album. I like her songwriting, but I'm not into slower songs. So, it's a give and take. Do I like the older, faster, simpler stuff more? Yes, it's more listenable. But I also wouldn't be able to differentiate between the songs. So do I like the diversity on the new one? Yes, but I wished for more upbeat songs. So, all in all, it's a solid Muffs album. Their stuff has always been pretty good. And here's another one to take a listen to.
B
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis 1999Reviewed by MarkThere's no letting up for The Muffs on their latest album (and first for an indie label). Kim Shattuck's voice has never sounded better, and there is more diversity in the songwriting than in previous efforts. For those who don't know, Kim sang the female vocal in NOFX's "Lori Meyers," off of "Punk In Drublic." The music her band plays has a slower pop-punk sound that focuses on good songwriting…Decapolis 1999Reviewed by TimI'm a fan. I always have been, and probably always will be. I'm not at all disappointed by this record. Everything has improved since "Happy Birthday to Me." This sounds like it should be on Lookout. A-Decapolis 1999Reviewed by Tom BastianA little less punk, a little more pop this time around for The Muffs. I can never get into the vocals for this band. A little too whiney for me. Some of the songs on this CD I really enjoyed, though, and I could even put up with the vocals on some of the tunes, such as "Silly People," "Prettier Than Me," "Numb," and "Clown." Don't get me wrong -- this is a good CD, just not a band I'm a big fan…Similar sounding releases
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2002The All-American RejectsThe All-American Rejects
2000All Star UnitedSmash Hits
1996PlankeyeCommonwealth
2004BagheeraTwelves
2004Liars AcademyDemons
