Quick Music Review: NOFX- Coaster

The latest album from NOFX is a greatest hits album yet it’s all new material. If you listen to Coaster you’re apt to think back fondly to The War on Errorism, Pump Up the Valuum, and even Two Heebs and a Bean. Often times a sentiment like that means a band has gone stale but I’d argue that this actually shows signs of versatility and after the lackluster 2006 release Wolves in Wolves’ Clothing it is desperately appreciated. Fat Mike sounds like he’s having fun again and so does the rest of the band. The opening track, We Called it America, starts with a quote from Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross and proceeds to shred your ear drums. My Orphan Year is a pretty personal track that elicited a real emotion reaction from yours truly. Creeping Out Sara is probably the funniest NOFX track I’ve listened to in years and might be my favorite cut off the album. Best God in Show is pure NOFX ska and along with Blasphemy depict the band’s maturing view on religion. Maturity seems to be the overall theme of the album, even with tracks like First Call and I Am an Alcoholic. While the music is still fast, loose and fun the lyrics tend to be more poignant and at least to this 30-something more relatable. That being said it’s still funny as hell and something I’ll be blasting out my car speakers all summer long.