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The Vandals

Live Fast, Diarrea
1995
Nitro

The Vandals - Live Fast, Diarrea (Cover Artwork)


Review by: fathead
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www.nitrorecords.com (link)

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Nitro Records (Logo)

Published on October 29th 2001

I don't know why it is, but it's happened countless times to me. I buy an album by a band I don't own yet, and it blows me away. Then when I decide to check out their other stuff, everything falls a little short of that first album I bought. Does anyone else experience this strange trend?

I bought "Live Fast, Diarrea" after seeing the Vandals in Cincy, a loooong time ago. "Let the Bad Times Roll" hit me like a bag of nickles, and the crude, abrassive, lightning fast punk rock did not let up (until "I Have a Date" anyway). In fact, this quickly became my favorite album, and stayed atop my list for a while. I literally listened to it religiously, taking certain messages a little too seriously (I didn't change my pants for over 3 weeks). I played "Supercalifragalisticexpialidosious" for everyone I knew constantly, to the point where I was about to get my ass kicked. I LOVED the Vandals. Then, I heard their other albums. Nothing even came close to this release. There were good songs on all of them, but none of them were as complete as "Live Fast, Diarrea".

To this day, the Vandals have not released an album as good as "Live Fast,Diarrea". Warren rips the axe all the way through, even displaying a possible metal influence on the title track and "Get in Line". Even after all these years, he still has one of my favorite guitar sounds out there. The lyrics are classic, rude, offensive and funny, and Dave's voice is the perfect fit. Drumming duties are filled by Josh Freeze and Brooks Wackerman, and both are down right awesome. Overall, a fast, in-yer-face album that will put the faith back into the hearts of helpless punkers. By FAR, the best Vandals album. It isn't radio friendly love shit (except for "I Have a Date" again), and it IS fast, furious, and full of talent and swear words. What else can a guy with a mohawk ask for?





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    Posted by randomness on 2007-05-25 04:06:51
    My Score:

    Great Album! Combined with the Quickening you have the best albums the Vandals have put out. I'm partial to think the Quickening is their best album.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 15, 2006 at 10:36 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Peace thru vandalism wasn't released in 81.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 12, 2003 at 6:46 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    The second best Vandals album after The Quickening. That one has no filler, this one has a couple (Kick Me, Ape Shall Never Kill Ape at least). But it's certainly one of the two albums from the Vandals' golden age. Now they're heading for the gutter.

    Posted by ETx310 on 2001-11-07 01:58:22
    My Score:

    They've always been "The Vandals" just different line ups. The Vandals who released Peace through Vandalism on Epitaph in 81 only have 1 member in common with The Vandals of today (and he plays a different instrument now). So that's how they kept the name, I guess. They sound completely different though, Steve O had a better voice. I love the last 2 albums the new Vandals have put out though.

    Posted by Larry_Lawrence on 2001-11-06 04:43:03
    My Score:

    AFI.

    *LARRY LAWRENCE*

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 3, 2001 at 10:56 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    I'm sorry but what is it about this band that is so Great?

    ...and is The Vandels a Different band?
    and was thier a label Called Epitath?

    Posted by Towers on 2001-11-02 10:26:21
    My Score:

    I often experience the excact same thing you mention in the first paragraph. The second stuff I hear by a band sometimes takes more to blow me away than the first. Anyway, I think this album and The Quickening are pretty equal, if i ignore the lack of great ending on this one. The two last songs are kind of an anti-climax; Kick Me is kind of dull sounding, dare I say filler. Soup Of The Day is not even a real song. Otherwise, the two albums have a lot in common, and totally destroy Hitler Bad, Vandals Good and the newest one.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 2, 2001 at 1:16 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    this doesnt even compare to the best record they've ever put out- Hitler Bad, Vandals Good. If you want a perfect release, pick that up. Vandals will always be good but that release is them at their best.

    Posted by AtomicGarden on 2001-11-01 23:27:52
    My Score:

    What a great fucking band. This was the first band I -ever- saw in concert, and what a great band to see. They were hilarious, sounded great, played a nice set... very cool. Gotta love 'em.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 9:55 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    has any wun else seen warrens "ooohhhh face"?

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 12:06 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    i like how "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" begins with the riff from bad religion's "fuck armageddon this is hell"

    Posted by pat41 on 2001-10-30 23:11:05
    My Score:

    I have been a fan of the vandals for years. Thay have never put out a bad album, this one is no exception. I do however think that "Look What I Almost Stepped In..." is better. I know I'll get shit for saying that!

    Posted by ETx310 on 2001-10-30 21:02:23
    My Score:

    I liked this album, but I can think of like 3 other vandals records that I enjoyed more (sweatin to the oldies counts as one. And don't worry, I'm not counting the Quickening) Nice review

    Posted by coldjuly on 2001-10-30 20:01:09
    My Score:

    Good album, good review...but fear of A Punk Planet was slightly better.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 8:00 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    A good CD, but the Quickening is better.

    --Big Letter Guy

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 3:15 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Definitely their best album, but I still love every album they put out.

    Posted by harvey on 2001-10-30 15:12:35
    My Score:

    Agreed. Best Vadals album and one of the funnest bands you can ever see live. 'Let the bad times role' and 'And now we dance' make my motherfucking day every time i haer 'em.