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NOFX
Heavy Petting Zoo
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The liner notes on this album read: "No thanx to MTV-Quit bugging us
major labels-Quit bugging us commercial radio stations -Quit playing
us. We've been doing just fine all these years with out you, so leave
us the fuck alone! Assholes" Some might call it a lame attempt to seem
hard-core and indie in a day of punk rock exploitation, but coming from
NOFX I feel safe in saying that these feelings are genuine. After all
the band has built a huge fan base and sold hundreds of thousands of
albums with no help from the above mentioned entities. Why should they
rely upon them now? Heavy Petting Zoo has the power to carry NOFX to
new heights without unnecessary commercial hype. Simply put, it is a
great CD. Those of you who are familiar with NOFX will recognize themes
brought up on other albums. The opening cut, "Hobophobic" (Scared of
bums) is based on an empathy for bums that has been seen in other cuts
such as "Linoleum", the opening cut on Punk in Drublic. We also see a
return of "Liza and her sexual life". And on "August 8Th", a very
welcome slam on hippies (of course that was the day that Jerry Garcia
died). "A beautiful day" in Fat Mike's eyes. However, don't assume
that because there are reoccurring lyrical themes that the album is
generic NOFX. They really have reached a new height musically,
incorporating much more WAH peddle and instruments like the steel drum.
El Heffe is quite possibly one of the most talented people in punk
rock. If you are a NOFX fan, get this album you'll love it! And if
you're not a NOFX fan, it's time you discovered a great punk rock band!
Wade Chamberlain
© 1996, Rational Alternative Digital