NOFX

Never Trust a Hippy (2006)

Jon

Note to the reader:
If you do not know what NOFX sounds like by this point, you are either (A) 15 years old or younger, or (B)living under a rock in Alabama. Close this window, hop in the car, and drive to your nearest record store to pick up either Punk in Drublic or So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes. After a few listens, return back to read the rest of the review.

For the rest of you, this EP is not likely to change your opinion of the band. If you're a fan of NOFX, you will almost certainly enjoy the six songs featured on the Never Trust a Hippy EP; if you hate the band, that won't suddenly change with this release.

Fans of NOFX's earlier material -- dating as far back as Ribbed and White Trash… -- will be pleased to find out that most of the songs on this EP sound similar to songs recorded during that era. The only difference would be in the lyrics; instead of writing about lesbians and boobs, the majority of the songs are political in nature or are speaking out against religious extremism (although NOFX has always had political songs on all of their albums, so I really don't understand the recent backlash against some of their political lyrics).

The EP starts out with "Seeing Double at the Triple Rock," a fun, midtempo song about the greatness of beer; "I'm a religious drunk, and this is where I pray…we're praying that the taps will keep the holy water flowing." The song reminds me of earlier material mostly due to the lead guitar part that sounds like it came straight from White Trash.

"The Marxist Brothers" is a slow paced, reggae-sounding song with lyrics poking fun of "idealist bourgeoisie" and is, what appears to be, a response to Propagandhi's diss of NOFX on their most recent album. But Propagandhi fans should not take it too seriously -- it's all in good fun, and the mood is similar to that of "Anarchy Camp" from The War on Errorism, so it's light-hearted.

The effort continues with "Golden Boys," a song whose double-time beginning sounds very similar to the classic song "Green Corn" and is played in the signature NOFX style. Next up is the acoustic "You're Wrong," which was also part of the 7 Inch of the Month Club. Nothing special in particular here, although the lyrics are quite bold and funny all at the same time. Ann Coulter is appropriately labeled as a "cunted cunt" and Fat Mike lets you know that you're wrong if you agree with Sean Hannity. NOFX has been playing this song on their latest tour, and according to Fat Mike, it will be on the new album, except it will be a full-band "punked-out" version.

Hippy closes out with "Everything in Moderation (Especially Moderation)" and "I'm Going to Hell for This One." The former is a very basic, fast-paced NOFX song about the band's career and age: "When your band has been a band longer than the Ramones, and critics coin you 'the punk Rolling Stones,' that's when you know this is for life."

"I'm Going to Hell for This One" was also on the 7 Inch of the Month Club, and is about Jesus -- well, the Jesus that NOFX believes in. They take a stab at fundamentalist Christianity and promote the belief that Jesus was a pretty cool guy…just not the person that Christians believe he was. Stylistically, this song reminds me a lot of "The Decline," which is certainly a plus.

Overall, this is a wonderful listen, everything from the hilarious cover art, to the lyrical content, to the classic NOFX sound we all know and love. If the new album Wolves in Wolves' Clothing sounds anything like this, then we are in for a treat.