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Sometimes records take a while to sink in. That’s the only rationalization I can give for why None More Black’s This Is Satire scored a measly 6/10 in its initial review last year. And with hindsight’s advantage, the band’s would-be swan song is a perfect send-off from a band who left behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and passion in punk rock.

My discovery of This Is Satire was purely by chance. The newspaper for which I had been writing reviews had a small stack of promo CDs in the office, which was normally a pile of crap. Yet by the grace of a higher being, the bamboozling artwork of This Is Satire stared up at me from the bottom of the stack one day last spring. The newspaper unfortunately downsized and stopped doing reviews before I had a chance to share this masterpiece with the world, but over a year later, I haven’t stopped recommending this album to anyone who inquires about “good punk rock."

As clichéd as it can be to start a review with the first song, “We Dance on the Ruins of the Stupid Stage” is arguably the album’s finest, and sets a perfect tone for what’s to follow. Ex-Kid Dynamite frontman Jason Shevchuk spits lyrics that are at once jaded, cynical, and reflective, without ever losing their witty, ironic edge. With the break-up of None More Black behind us, it’s even more clear through “We Dance on the Ruins...” that the band had been teetering on the edge of throwing in the towel for some time: "I gotta semi-hollow body on my chest / My back hurts, my throat is feeling stressed / And I swear by the end of the night / I’ll be coughing up the morning’s drive / The strings are cutting through my skin / And the rash opens up again / … / Beaten up by the things we savor / I’m worn out." The song ends with the ominous and prophetic line: "Once Satire takes the stage, we’ll be worn out."

Musically, the band elevated to their pinnacle with This Is Satire. Hook, after hook, after hook fills the record’s diverse offering that ranges from the melodic hardcore of “With the Transit Coat On” to the country-tinged “10 Ton Jiggawatts” to the folksy “Majestic,” and back again to the pop-punk of “My Wallpaper Looks Like Paint.” The cynical “You Suck! But Your Peanut Butter Is OK” is a biting censure of the armchair critics (many of whom populate this site) who pigeonhole punk bands and paralyze their progress: "Would you exist without all the fists the music clenched for you? / You’re dressed up like a full-bodied anarchist / Right down to your views / … / The ticket price, the songs that you write / 'We’ve got our eyes on you' / The internet is just a minute away / I’m telling on you." The album ends with “Majestic,” one of the slowest songs on the album that saunters along, led by a haunting chord progression and some of Shevchuk’s most personally reflective lyrics: "Twenty-nine years into life / Some things I still can get right / … / I play in a band, I work when I’m home / Why do I feel guilty for the shit that I’ve done? / I’ve opened some doors, slammed just as many / Opportunity’s knocked, how can you blame me? / I’m trapped in a life that I’ve chosen."

This Is Satire is easily one of the best albums Fat Wreck Chords has ever put out, and one of the most dynamic efforts from a punk band in the new millennium. Topped off by great production by the legendary J. Robbins, This Is Satire is the triumphant finale of a band who is already sorely missed.



People who liked this also liked:
The Lawrence Arms - Oh! Calcutta!None More Black - This Is SatireThe Lawrence Arms - The Greatest Story Ever ToldDead to Me - Cuban BallerinaAgainst Me! - is Reinventing Axl RoseNOFX - The DeclineLifetime - LifetimeNone More Black - Loud About LoathingAgainst Me! - As The Eternal CowboyNo Trigger - Canyoneer



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    Posted by assgoblin on 2008-07-29 12:22:28

    best of fat:

    the lawrence arms - apathy and exhaustion
    against me! - as the eternal cowboy
    smoke or fire - above the city
    dead to me - cuban ballerina
    the sainte catherines - dancing for decadance

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 6:36 AM (EDT)

    best fat albums? oh man...okay, here goes:

    strike anywhere - dead fm
    against me! - searching for a former clarity
    rise against - revolutions per minute
    propagandhi - less talk, more rock
    descendents - cool to be you
    screeching weasel - weaselmania (does that one count? hmm)
    less than jake - borders and boundries
    NOFX - the war on errorism

    yeah, a lot of good albums on a label usually shared with NOFX rip-off bands.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 11, 2007 at 10:29 PM (EDT)

    I don't think it's cliche' to review the first song on an album (unless its some afi-style musical intro). the first song should be really strong and grab the listener, introducing them to what will come ahead.

    and in the case of this album, it is the best song on the cd, and one of jason's best in his career.

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2007-06-11 20:37:35
    My Score:

    Punk in Drublic was released on Epitaph.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 11, 2007 at 7:16 PM (EDT)

    No Punk in Drublic on your top 10's? That's a FAT classic.

    Is it?

    Posted by PervyD on 2007-06-11 18:26:16

    No Punk in Drublic on your top 10's? That's a FAT classic. Shame.

    Posted by moos on 2007-06-11 18:12:40

    my FAT top 3:

    Face To Face- don't turn away.
    Propagandhi- empire.
    No Use For A Name- more betterness

    Posted by AlmostPunkENough on 2007-06-11 13:12:48
    My Score:

    god. damn. right.

    it sucks so much that they're gone.

    Posted by R3venge_Therapy on 2007-06-11 13:02:25
    My Score:

    I completely agree with this review. It was my number 1 album last year. The first time I ever heard it, I was absolutely dumbfounded with how good it was. I guess I was one of the few people who didn't need it to grow on me.

    All-time Fat releases? Oi. That's way fucking hard.

    Lagwagon - Let's Talk About Feelings
    Strung Out - Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues
    None More Black - This is Satire
    Rise Against - Revolutions Per Minute
    Mad Caddies - Duck and Cover
    NOFX - The Decline
    The Lawrence Arms - Apathy and Exhaustion
    The Lawrence Arms - Greatest Story Ever Told
    Lagwagon - Double Plaidinum
    Lagwagon - Hoss
    Strung Out - Element of Sonic Defiance
    Against Me! - As the Eternal Cowboy
    Propagandhi - Potemkin City Limits
    Propagandhi - Less Talk, More Rock
    Good Riddance - Operation Phoenix
    Dead to Me - Cuban Ballerina
    Dillinger Four - Situationist Comedy
    Hi Standard - Angry Fist

    Well....that wasn't in order. And god forbid I ever have to pick a top 10. Impossible. I love Fat's catalog more than just about any other label's.

    Posted by damnitsderek on 2007-06-10 16:15:27
    My Score:

    Oh NMB, how I miss you.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 12:38 PM (EDT)

    fuck!

    Mad Caddies-duck and cover...number 10.

    Paul

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 12:36 PM (EDT)

    none of you motherfuckers would put Bad Astronaut inthe top 10? hmm.

    Paul

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 12:35 PM (EDT)

    fuck!

    edit: number 8 would be dillenger four-situationest comedy...forgot that was a fat album

    9. would probably still be a wagon album, maybe NMB
    10. would still be your mom

    Paul

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 12:34 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    oh shit are you serious? godammit. ok here we go.

    1. lawrence arms-apathy and exhaustion
    2. bad astronaut-houston: we have a drinking problem
    3. lagwagon-hoss
    4. NUFAN-more betterness
    5. strung out-twisted by design/suburban/the e.p. all tied
    6. NOFX-the decline
    7. loved ones-keep your heart
    8. probably 'greatest story'
    9. probably a wagon album
    10. your mom

    Paul
    scores for Fat Wreck

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 12:27 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    totally awesome CD, came in at #10 on my top 10 albums of last year. I think there's some duds on here that lack the punch of "file under black" but for every dud there's a stud, most of which you mentioned in your review. "10 ton jiggawats" is my personal favorite on the album, I love those harmonies and the hook and then the outro...wow. Of course the first 3 tracks all totally kick ass, and "you suck!" is perfect, catchy-ass punk with a message anyone annoyed by the scene police can relate too (I constantly deal with people who wonder how I can talk in depth about the misfits, clash, lawrence arms, etc., yet I also consier new found glory one of the best bands EVA! that's right, I said it, NFG's S/T album is a pop punk masterpiece, thats right, not even the 'safe answer' aka nothing gold can stay, no I just said the S/T! ha!).

    overall I thought it was on par with the first album and the e.p. although I still think "oh, there's legwork" is the best song they ever wrote.

    shame they broke up (but not before I saw them play for $8 with dillenger four, BONG!) but we're left with 2 solid albums and an e.p. (and a dope song from that bush fat comp) to listen to over and over. at least they burned out and did not fade away (my opinion has always been burn out, don't fade away). I just wish they didn't burn out so soon.

    lyrically, musically, vocally ...it's all there to argue if they were the best new punk band of the new millenium (my vote goes to the larry arms, but these guys is up there). anyone who passed onthis album or only gave it a listen or two is sorely missing out on an underrated jem.

    "these days from talking, takes all the breath out of my exhaustion" indeed. peace bitches and good review.

    Paul

    Posted by coldwaffles on 2007-06-10 11:31:19

    Best

    1. The Lawrence Arms - The Greatest Story Ever Told
    2. Rise Against - Revolutions Per Minute
    3. Against Me! - Searching For A Former Clarity
    4. Strung Out - Twisted By Design
    5. Strung Out - Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues
    6. No Use For A Name - Hard Rock Bottom
    7. None More Black - File Under Black
    8. NOFX - The Decline
    9. Screeching Weasel - Bark Like a Dog
    10. Dillinger Four - Situationist Comedy
    11. Smoke or Fire - Above the City
    12. Strung Out - Blackhawks Over Los Angeles
    13. Dead To Me - Cuban Ballerina
    14. Western Addiction - Cognicide
    15. None More Black - This Is Satire

    Worst -

    1. The Real McKenzies - 10000 Shots

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 9:57 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Propagandhi - Less Talk and Todays Empires
    Good Riddance - Operation Phoenix
    Strung Out - Suburban and Element of Sonic Defiance
    NOFX - The Decline
    Lagwagon - Blaze (most underrated album on Fat)
    Lawrence Arms - Oh calcutta
    Against Me! - As the eternal cowboy

    And the album discussed above. I'll stick to that.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 7:10 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    lagwagon - trashed
    lagwagon - hoss
    proapgandhi - all albums
    strung out - suburban teenage...
    wizo - uuaarrgh!
    good riddance - ballads from the revolution

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 1:51 PM (EDT)

    none more black- this is satire
    against me- eternal cowboy
    against me- searching for a former clarity
    sick of it all- yours truly
    dead to me- cuban ballerina
    western addiction- cognicide
    avail- front porch stories
    rise against- the unraveling
    propagandhi- todays empires tomorrows ashes
    propagandhi- how to clean everything
    the sainte catherines- dancing for decadence

    Posted by klonny on 2007-06-09 13:10:15

    Madness? THIS. IS. SATIIIIIIIIIRE!!!

    I just remembered that I have a poster of this album hanging in my room.

    Posted by Cannsaw on 2007-06-09 06:24:51

    My fave fat albums go:
    All NUFAN albums
    Rise Against - Unraveling & RPM
    NOFX - War On Errorism
    All Propagandhi albums
    Screeching Weasel - TV City Dream & Bark Like A Dog
    Strike Anywhere - Dead FM
    Lagwagon - Hoss & Resolve
    Good Riddance - Op Phoenix, Bound By Ties & A Comprehensive Guide

    Posted by hubitcherkokov on 2007-06-09 01:44:19

    -Strung Out - "Element of Sonic Defiance" EP and "Blackhawks Over Los Angeles"
    -Lagwagon - "Let's Talk About Feelings"
    -The Lawrence Arms - "Apathy and Exhaustion"
    -NOFX - "The Decline" (and "The War On Errorism" is my favorite NOFX full-length)
    -Anti-Flag - "Underground Network"
    -Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - "Are A Drag"
    -Propagandhi - "Potemkin City Limits" and "Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes"
    -Rise Against - "The Unraveling" (I still don't understand "Revolutions Per Minute" and everyone's love for it)
    -None More Black - "File Under Black"

    Posted by cooltobeyou on 2007-06-09 00:56:19

    Awesome album....one of the best CD's last year.

    As far as FAT releases go, my favorites would be:

    Lawrence Arms - "Oh Calcutta"
    Descendents - "Cool to Be You"
    Strung Out - "Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues"
    Dead to Me - "Cuban Ballerina"
    Smoke or Fire - "This Sinking Ship"
    The Loved Ones - "Keep Your Heart"
    Lagwagon - "Blaze"
    None More Black - "This is Satire"

    It always strikes me as odd that some of the worst releases on FAT are the NoFx albums.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 11:27 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    what the hell are you talking about? this came out 8 months before None More Black broke up.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 11:20 PM (EDT)

    soooo, does Fat only deal with old bands, bands who no longer play, bands who broke up, dead bands......

    Posted by klonny on 2007-06-08 22:19:29

    Heh, the first time I heard this album it wasn't so great. But yeah, after awhile it does reach its full effect, and its pretty good. I was pretty choked up when None More Black broke up...

    Posted by sickboi on 2007-06-08 20:55:46

    So Long and Thanks For All the Shoes was released on Epitaph...

    -chris

    Posted by inagreendase on 2007-06-08 19:45:35

    I'll bite:

    The Lawrence Arms - The Greatest Story Ever Told
    Against Me! - As the Eternal Cowboy
    Anti-Flag - The Terror State (eat it, I think it's the band's best)
    None More Black - File Under Black
    Less Than Jake - Borders & Boundaries
    The Lawrence Arms - Oh! Calcutta!
    V/A - Rock Against Bush Vol. 1
    Rise Against - Revolutions Per Minutes
    NOFX - The Decline EP
    Limp - Pop & Disorderly (but since this is an Honest Don's release and may not count...)
    Strike Anywhere - Dead FM

    Posted by miff on 2007-06-08 19:15:56

    it would be even worse to do one for epitaph

    Posted by miff on 2007-06-08 19:15:32

    mine would have to be:
    descendats cool to be you
    rise against revolutions per minute
    loved ones keep your heart
    good riddance symptoms of a leveling spirit
    anti-flag underground network
    western addiction cognicide
    lawrence arms oh! calcutta!
    NOFX solong and thanks for all the shoes (hell yeah a duglas adams reference)
    propagandhi potemkin city limits
    less than jake borders and boundries

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 7:03 PM (EDT)

    you missed out keep your heart from your list

    Posted by clamum on 2007-06-08 18:05:29
    My Score:

    Good shit.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 4:51 PM (EDT)

    top fat releases:

    Sick of it all-call to arms
    against me- eternal cowboy
    nufan- leche con carne
    mad caddies- duck and cover

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2007-06-08 16:46:49
    My Score:

    top 10 Fat releases

    None More Black This is Satire (as mentioned)
    Propagandhi Potemkin City Limits
    Mad Caddies Duck and Cover
    Lawrence Arms Apathy and Exhaustion
    NOFX So Long & Thanks for all the Shoes
    Leftover Crack/Citizen Fish Deadline
    Dead to Me Cuban Ballerina
    Swingin' Utters Juvenile Product of the Working Class
    Descendents Cool to Be You
    Randy Randy the Band

    Posted by misfit949 on 2007-06-08 16:38:27
    My Score:

    Geez best album ever released on Fat? Is your brother in the band or something? I can think of at least a dozen classic Fat Records that blow this out of the water.

    Posted by rkl on 2007-06-08 16:37:02

    oh fuck, i forgot good riddance - operation phoenix.

    GIVE ME AN EDIT BUTTON KTHX.

    Posted by rkl on 2007-06-08 16:35:29

    out of sheer boredom, and fighting off the need to sleep, ill follow sickboi's direction:

    goober patrol - lightness of being drunk
    nofx - i heard they suck live
    sick of it all - call to arms
    leftover crack/citizen fish split
    consumed - hit for six
    avail - one wrench(which ive been intending to write a review of for 6 years now, ill get around to it someday)
    only crime - to the nines
    mad caddies - duck and cover
    strung out - the element of sonic defiance

    screching weasel - bark like a dog(not technically a fat recording, but released on fat, so i cheat, i cheat)

    Posted by baptist_general on 2007-06-08 16:12:43

    yours by any chance?

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 4:09 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Seriously. This record ate dick.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 3:25 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Yeah, "I See London" is mint...

    and so is this album....

    Posted by baseball on 2007-06-08 14:28:39

    i was going to make that comment too

    those are 3 of my favorite songs off this album

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 2:26 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "Three reasons this album isn't worth 5 stars:

    I See London
    D Is For Doorman (Come on In)
    Majestic"

    funny u say that those are 3 of my favorites. well theyre all good actually.

    Posted by baptist_general on 2007-06-08 14:20:26
    My Score:

    whats happened to shevchucks myspace page?

    anywayz, fucking awesome album!

    Posted by mclz on 2007-06-08 12:35:16

    sabot is releasing this on vinyl

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 12:25 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I couldn't agree more with this review. The more and more I listen to "This is Satire", the greater it becomes. "We Dance on the Ruins of this Stupid Stage" is one of the best songs all time about being in a band. Every track is more poignant now NMB has broken up.

    I saw them play songs from This is Satire twice and wish they stayed together longer so I could've seen a few more.

    Great review.

    Posted by recordtheory on 2007-06-08 11:56:43
    My Score:

    Three reasons this album isn't worth 5 stars:

    I See London
    D Is For Doorman (Come on In)
    Majestic

    These are bad songs. Loud About Loathing was this band's peak. But, they will be missed.

    Posted by sickboi on 2007-06-08 11:45:11

    No shit. Favorite Fat releases, all time, go!

    In no particular order:

    -Face to Face Don't Turn Away
    -Against Me! Eternal Cowboy
    -Strung Out Twisted By Design
    -Good Riddance Symptoms Of A Leveling Spirit
    -Swingin Utters A Juvenile Product Of The Working Class
    -Lagwagon Resolve
    -Lawrence Arms Apathy And Exhaustion
    -Smoke or Fire Above the City
    -The Loved Ones Keep Your Heart
    -Rise Against Revolutions Per Minute
    -Snuff Demmamussabebonk
    -NOFX The Decline

    Posted by miff on 2007-06-08 11:41:58

    ive got a few songs off this and when i first heard them my initial impressions were that its not as good as kid dynamite
    but then ive listened to them more and now i love them
    certainly will buy this the next time i manage to find a copy

    Posted by cuapunkradio on 2007-06-08 11:11:55
    My Score:

    great record but no where near the best of fatwreck's releases. thats insane

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 11:09 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    the two slow songs really held it back. otherwise great album. file under black is one of my favourites of all time, though, so i'm not too disappointed that this didn't match it..

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 10:57 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Score is for Spinal Tap...

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 10:53 AM (EDT)

    This album is amazing... But no review of the new NMDS ep!?

    Posted by sickboi on 2007-06-08 10:45:07

    I prefer File Under Black, but this is a great album.

    My favorite song is easily "Opinions and Assholes". The lyrics seem to point towards his feelings on the criticism that NMB isn't Kid Dynamite, anyone know if this is true?

    Posted by mikeinflames on 2007-06-08 10:28:35
    My Score:

    i didn't get into this album until after i saw them play some of the tracks live.
    such a great live band.
    sucks that they broke up.

    Posted by TheMike on 2007-06-08 09:59:37
    My Score:

    This was the album of the year for me.

    Posted by baseball on 2007-06-08 09:35:39
    My Score:

    always thought the original review scored too low

    this is a definite grower, took about 10 listens to really all fit together for me but this is an amazing album

    NMB will be missed

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 9:30 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    probably the best album i've gotten in the last few years. i just keep the entire album on repeat. it never gets old

    Posted by hubitcherkokov on 2007-06-08 08:45:47

    I loved this album when I picked it up on its release date and I still do now. I still can't get into the "Loud About Loathing" EP though.

    They also released two EPs, the other being a self-titled 7-inch.

    Posted by DrStrangelove on 2007-06-08 08:08:57
    My Score:

    i always liked this album i was kinda surprised when i saw the first review..
    now this album has the score it deserves

    Posted by ohcanaduh on 2007-06-08 06:54:23
    My Score:

    While "File Under Black" has some shitty songs, I still think the best songs on it beat anything on this album. I was expecting so much more. That said, they will be missed

    Posted by fallingupwards84 on 2007-06-08 06:33:13

    good review... i only have File Under Black and like it ok, but now i'll have to check this one out

    Posted by Rocktopus on 2007-06-08 02:52:44
    My Score:

    Hated it first time I listened to it. Then a whole week later, found myself humming a song... I still can't stop listening to it. An almost perfect record.

    Posted by Pope_Skeletor on 2007-06-08 02:18:37

    So close to perfect. This was by far my favorite album of last year, but knowing how much more they could have achieved makes me almost too sad to listen to this album now that they've broken up.

    Posted by wentz_equals_death on 2007-06-08 02:07:08

    yeah

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2007-06-08 01:48:53
    My Score:

    the legacy he's talking about must be the entire 'orgcore lore over this band, which I must admit is deserving.

    that's exactly what i meant, and you said it more eloquently than i would have. if it weren't for reading others' insight about this album on the 'org, i probably never would have given it the chance i did.

    Posted by almosttragichero on 2007-06-08 01:40:17
    My Score:

    there seriously isn't a bad song on it. agree with the reeview 100%. 10/10.

    Posted by elephantdwarf on 2007-06-08 01:20:16

    5 stars? i mean... its not a bad record by any means... but its not a perfect album. i'd put it somewhere around a 6-7 but im pretty harsh with scoring things.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 12:56 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This is definitely an album that grows on you. Keep sneaking it into your cd player and you'll love it more and more. I didn't really enjoy this album till a couple months after I bought it. I fucking love this band...

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 12:38 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this is one of the best post 90's punk cds ever. score is for the album and the use of "bamboozling".

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 12:33 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    the legacy he's talking about must be the entire 'orgcore lore over this band, which I must admit is deserving.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 12:06 AM (EDT)

    they're not bad, but what "legacy" are you talking about? they put out two records and an ep.