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Well, I have Useless ID's new album. Following up their second Kung Fu release No Vacation From The World, which was a top 5 hit in Japan (believe it or not) and their spot on Rock Against Bush Vol. 2, I returned home with it after watching everyone's favourite Israeli pop-punk band (oh come on...) with about 19 other people. Hmmm, strange I thought. The last album sold reasonably well and by the sounds of it they haven't strayed from their sound much if at all and most people seemed to love "State Of Fear." Did everyone know something I didn't? Is this album a complete let down?

For the record, Useless ID were the first punk (so sue me) band I truly obsessed over. I have never anticipated an album as much I did with their first (Bad Story, Happy Ending) and bought up all their old vinyl releases. I even own a copy of Get In The Pita Bread Pit, which was limited to 500 copies and to this day is one of my favourite CDs ever. I just fell in love with their jumpy and punchy pop sensibilities. For me, their Kung Fu era has sounded like a combination of modern day NUFAN and 12 Exits Ataris, with NUFAN being the stronger similiarity. However, they do it so much better than what NUFAN have tried to turn into. Maybe it's a coincidence that this band have released a split with the Ataris, have Kris Roe guest and produce, and recorded a Tony Sly-penned track for their last album. Believe me, if you have a taste for today's pop-punk, I would be surprised if you could listen to any of their efforts without feeling the huge urge to sing along. Yotam has a great voice and can produce hooks without sounding screechy, whiny or high-pitched.

Anyway, I put the CD on the way back from seeing them feeling pretty nervous that I was going to be disappointed. The albums opens with "It's Alright," beginning with slow-picked strings at which point I had lost all hope of this being any good. Vocals coming in, wait...no. This is going to be a slow and flat album. Literally one minute later I was singing along, feeling relieved and in love again. Great opening track, and pretty similar sounding to their last two efforts. Cool...

By track 4 ("Deny It") I was in heaven. The songs are so simple (no moog on this album either) and catchy, even more so than the last one. Chris of the Gamits even adds some great vocals on "Deny It," which are a nice little touch. As for the following track, "Suffer For The Fame," this is by far the meatiest track on any of their last three full-lengths. Bill Stevenson has done a good job producing this and the best example is here, with a powerful and clear sound. Just check out the drums...wow.

By the end of the disc I was feeling less enthusiastic, however. Sure, "State Of Fear," "Drinkage," and "Dying Love" are all great songs too but numbers 7, 10 and 12 just didn't stick on me. And this is where the let-down to me was, although small. In short, after the opening 5 tracks, the second half is clearly weaker, and after so much promise, too. The other 2 efforts have been consistently good all the way through and never drag for a second. I went back to concentrate on those songs. Sure, they're okay. The title track is not fantastic, but a good closer nevertheless and "Everything Turned Red" is okay, not bad... but no one in the world would buy this CD off the back of hearing that track. I just feel track 7, "Before I Go," whilst at the same time, is not a bad song, but too much of a let-up on the energy and catchiness after the first half. It ruins the flow. In my opinion, a faster, shorter track in the vein of "State Of Fear" would have worked so much better. Fans know how well they do that style.

Don't get me wrong, this is a fantastic album. I moan too much I guess. That's part of reviewing perhaps. I am in love with this and it will not be leaving my CD player for a few weeks. In summary, if you liked either of the 2 previous albums, you will like this. If you like modern day NUFAN, give them a shot. Useless ID have produced the stronger album this year.



People who liked this also liked:
The Loved Ones - Keep Your HeartDillinger Four - C I V I L W A RTeenage Bottlerocket - Warning DeviceLifetime - LifetimeStreetlight Manifesto - Somewhere in the BetweenThe Flatliners - The Great AwakeA Wilhelm Scream - Career SuicideThis Is a Standoff - Be ExcitedEnemy Alliance / The Indecision Alarm - The New Wind and the Second WaveSundowner - Four One Five Two



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    Posted by assassinsmatt on 2008-10-21 06:33:52

    useless id rocks!
    i like ALL there stuff
    just wish they would peed up a few song
    like the good ol
    bad story happy ending days

    Posted by straight_edge on 2007-12-08 13:51:47
    My Score:

    LOVE the album. LOVE useless ID, they rock, and i'm gonna go to their next show in Israel no matter where or when it will be. =]

    Posted by ABedForLiars on 2006-09-02 16:43:29
    My Score:

    This album is so simple. I love it. Useless ID rocks.

    Posted by pasha on 2006-05-01 09:37:03
    My Score:

    just got this. good punk-pop album.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 1, 2005 at 6:33 PM (EDT)

    I agree with your comments and in my opinion 'It's alright' is the best song on the album.
    I also want to say that I think more insults are required.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 28, 2005 at 4:55 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Hehe, 2 weeks ago I saw them perform together with No use, I actually bought a ticket to see No use, but in the meantime I have been listening to this album. It's much better than No Use's album. It was so funny, while they were performing, I could sing along every Useless ID song. On my own, since no1 else knew the lines. Live, they are just as good as No use. You guys better check them out.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 at 7:22 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    it came out ages ago but in america and europe it comes out now on kung fu...

    anyways it still sucka

    Posted by muskawo_ on 2005-07-18 18:49:16
    My Score:

    I thought thsi album came out ages ago??? I got it ages ago at a show. Anyway, surprisingly good album.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 18, 2005 at 12:32 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    pretty nice & honest review !

    the progression of this band is awesome. If you like their previous effort, you'll like this one. BUT after hearing track 4-5-11 (fast track nice vocal great guitar play) why they need to put some slow uptempo song !?

    -boi82

    Posted by sickboi on 2005-07-18 11:48:48

    Will someone please explain to Chinatown that NUFAN have never been anything more than a subpar band that can't blend into whatever "hip" genre they're trying to cash in on at the moment?

    Posted by Crookedsuperhero on 2005-07-18 06:24:54

    "Fuck you, No Use is so much better than these generic bitches. Let me know when Useless ID write an anthemic indie rock song like "Black Box," or a sweet and short Hanalei-esque number like "Divine Let Down." Comparing both bands is pointless anyway; No Use have matured far beyond just a generic punk band like Useless ID. If anything, Useless ID sound like NUFAN used to sound back in 1995...minus the talent.

    -Chinatown"

    Is this a fake? If not, NUFAN have "matured" into a less than average pop band.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 18, 2005 at 12:36 AM (EDT)

    sure they might be good but to try and say better than NUFAN you are an idiot!!!

    martin*
    NZ09

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 17, 2005 at 9:29 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Fuck you, No Use is so much better than these generic bitches. Let me know when Useless ID write an anthemic indie rock song like "Black Box," or a sweet and short Hanalei-esque number like "Divine Let Down." Comparing both bands is pointless anyway; No Use have matured far beyond just a generic punk band like Useless ID. If anything, Useless ID sound like NUFAN used to sound back in 1995...minus the talent.

    -Chinatown

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 17, 2005 at 9:40 AM (EDT)

    pop punk pussies(all alliteration aside)

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 16, 2005 at 5:01 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    fuck this lame pop-punk bullshit...

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 15, 2005 at 10:44 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This is one hell of a cd

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 15, 2005 at 10:26 PM (EDT)

    The album, as a whole, is really fucking good. Surprisingly good.

    Deny It, State of Fear and It's Alright espeically -- just good solid rock and roll. But that's just one man's opinion.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 15, 2005 at 9:11 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Useless ID has progressed the way most bands should. Each of their cd's gets significantly better and better.

    It's hard to believe this is the same band that toured with the Ataris in 2000. They totally had accents back then and now they sound like SoCal kids.

    "State of Fear" has got to be one of the best songs ever recorded. To be honest I don't think there is any song I could say I like better right now.

    Posted by kirbypuckett on 2005-07-15 20:29:36

    Whoever says Macs are better because they don't crash is an idiot.

    - Kirby

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 15, 2005 at 8:24 PM (EDT)

    Dear Useless ID's "Turn Up The Stereo,"

    We lent you that chord progression months ago. I think it's high time you gave it back.

    Your friendly neighbor,
    None More Black's "Dinner's For Suckers"

    P.S. Do you think you could drop off "State Of Fear" at Strike Anywhere's on the way?

    Posted by aubin on 2005-07-15 20:04:22

    Even though they're not the sole focus of the movie, anyone who has any interest in this band should check out Jericho's Echo. It's really remarkable to see how different the world they live in is.

    Posted by Crookedsuperhero on 2005-07-15 18:43:13

    Again, love extends to 30.

    I like that song i heard by these guys.

    Posted by AlmostPunkEnough on 2005-07-15 16:54:51
    My Score:

    this is a pretty solid cd, it just keeps growing on me more and more, and i didn't even wanna like it.

    nad that warped review was goddamn hilarious, it really should go back up. i posted in it and it's not listed in my '10 most recent review comments' list. lame.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 15, 2005 at 3:29 PM (EDT)

    The person below me is ghay.

    Posted by ElVaquero on 2005-07-15 15:10:38

    This band always used to annoy the shit out of me and if it's still ghey pop punk then I'm still not interested. Top 5 in Japan my ass, let's see the facts.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 15, 2005 at 2:35 PM (EDT)

    please put the warped review back up, a bunch of us want to see what all the jokes were about. Maybe do it with a disclaimer or something?

    Posted by sickboi on 2005-07-15 14:05:13

    The funny thing about that Warped review was there maybe 3 of us that KNEW it was a joke, everyone else was just bitching, no getting the OBVIOUS joke.

    Posted by benz on 2005-07-15 13:46:57

    oh man, i loved that warped review.

    -benz

    Posted by ChokingVictim on 2005-07-15 13:45:36

    Man, I really want to read that Warped review now...every page I go to I'm heairng about it...sounds funny.

    Posted by threechordsandthetruth on 2005-07-15 13:21:33

    I'm glad I got to see the Warped review before it vanished.

    Posted by LevitateMe on 2005-07-15 12:50:30

    "favourite" is how they spell it outside of America. Idiot.

    And you know, I'm in the mood for a warped tour review...

    Posted by theundergroundscene on 2005-07-15 12:32:36

    got 'em!

    Posted by MarkieStabone on 2005-07-15 12:19:13

    wait, what the fuck happened?

    Posted by sickboi on 2005-07-15 11:50:29

    Hahahaha, Brian got punked.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 15, 2005 at 11:43 AM (EDT)

    "favourite" CDs ever

    *spelling mistake.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2005-07-15 11:16:08

    Yes, the Warped Tour review that I just deleted was a joke. There are word-for-word statements in the 2003 Calgary review, see for yourself.

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