Blink 182 Enema Of The State CD

Blink 182 embodies all the rock & roll verities, from savage, power chord-driven, guitar-bass-and-drums attack to a carefully cultivated tastelessness (see album title and cover art), bolstered by plenty of attitude (the abundance of tattoos doesn't hurt either). The band's post-Green Day pop-punk leaps out of the speakers with zero subtlety and maximum aggression. Guitars alternately blaze and chug over breakneck rhythms, while the vocal melodies pay homage to the time-honored pop hook tradition. Despite the band's four-on-the-floor approach, the arrangements are regulated by careful, radio-minded production for a more accessible sound.

If the title Enema of the State didn't give it away, it should be clear from songs like "Dumpweed," "What's My Age Again?," and "Dysentery Gary" that moving to a major label isn't a sign of maturity for Blink 182. "Dammit (Growing Up)," the first single from their third album, Dude Ranch, brought them a wider audience and the attention of major labels, which was just too tempting to resist. They signed with MCA, but the only sign that Enema of the State is a major-label effort is the somewhat cleaner production and the fact that they could afford porn superstar Janine -- all decked out as (surprise!) an enema nurse -- for the album cover. Of course, the lovely Janine is as much an indication as "Going Away to College," a catchy little number that pretty much repeats the narrative of "Dammit": Blink 182 is not growing up, no way, no how, nowhere. And that's fine, because few of their peers are quite as blissfully stupid and effortlessly catchy as them. Sure, they might not show the emotional depth of Green Day, but they have good tunes and deliver them in a speedy, punchy fashion. Enema of the State isn't going to change anyone's life -- unless it's the first time a 13-year-old boy has seen Janine -- and it will likely irritate old codgers, but it's a fun record that's better than the average neo-punk release. [Enema of the State was also released in a "clean" edition, containing no profanities or vulgarities.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Blink 182: Tom DeLonge (vocals, guitar); Mark Hoppus (vocals, bass); Travis Barker (drums).

Personnel: Tom DeLonge (vocals, guitar); Mark Hoppus (vocals); Roger Manning (keyboards); Travis Barker (drums).

Audio Mixers: Jerry Finn; Tom Lord-Alge.

Recording information: Big Fish; Bomb Factory; Conway Recording Studios; Mad Hatter; Signature Sound; Studio West.

Arranger: blink-182.

Additional personnel: Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. (keyboards).

This is an Enhanced CD which contains regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.Rolling Stone (7/8-7/22/99, pp.149-50) - 3 stars (out of 5) - "...gnarly enough to forment the kind of anti-everything rebellion that spawned rock & roll way back in the day....more power to 'em."
Rolling Stone (7/8-7/22/99, pp.149-50) - 3 stars (out of 5) - "...gnarly enough to forment the kind of anti-everything rebellion that spawned rock & roll way back in the day....more power to 'em."
Q (10/99, p.116) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...bright, three-minute pop tunes with adolescent vigor...More fun than Crass, at least."
Q (10/99, p.116) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...bright, three-minute pop tunes with adolescent vigor....full of songs about frat parties, making out, shitty jobs and, yes, bottoms....More fun than Crass, at least."
CMJ (5/31/99, p.5) - "...a geeky, three-chord rocker that employs a locker room sense of humor....While Blink 182 does slow down punk's pace, making it accessible to the pop-happy masses, this small concession hardly dilutes the band's potency."
CMJ (5/31/99, p.5) - "...a geeky, three-chord rocker that employs a locker room sense of humor....While Blink 182 does slow down punk's pace, making it accessible to the pop-happy masses, this small concession hardly dilutes the band's potency."