Album Review: Sum 41 - 'Underclass Hero'

As cheesy as they are I always

liked Sum 41 for some reason. Their songs are catchy, their videos are

funny and they always put on a good live show. Over the last couple

of years however it seems the wheels have well and truly fallen off

for the Canucks that make up Sum 41. They’ve lost a founding member

and self appointed band leader Deryck Whibley seems more concerned about

red carpet appearances with Avril Lavigne than his band.  

Part of Sum 41’s appeal was

their appreciation for all things “80’s metal” but with lead axe

man Dave “Brown Sound” Baksh jumping ship prior to the recording

of “Underclass Hero” the album is sadly devoid of any lead parts

or Maiden inspired riffing.  

So where does that leave Sum 41?

Well, they’re still a pop punk band and yes, they still write catchy

songs but without their more aggressive guitar parts they sound like

40 other bands you could name. 

The most instantly noticeable

thing about “Underclass Hero” is the striking resemblances it bears

to pop punk demigods Blink 182. Everything from the guitar tones, vocal

phrasing, drum fills and even the riffs themselves sounds way too similar

to Mark, Tom and Travis for me to take this record seriously. Putting

aside the dick and fart jokes, Blink were the leaders of their pack

for a reason so mimicking their sound to the extent that Sum 41 has

is not a great idea. 

That being said, “Underclass

Hero” isn’t a bad record. The songs still kick in all the right

places and I’m sure there’s a million kids around the world who

already know all the lyrics and will happily shell out their (or their

parents) hard earned to go and see Sum 41.  

The title track and album opener

is one of the best songs Sum 41 has released in the last few years.

The trade off vocals in the verse and bouncy chorus riff are great but

you can’t escape the feeling that you’ve heard it all before. “Walking

Disaster” starts off slowly but picks up the pace in time for the

chorus and was a good choice for a single. “March Of The Dogs” is

probably the highlight of the record with its powerful bass line and

steady beat. Apart from those 3 tracks, nothing else really grabbed

me.  

I’m of the opinion that a band

may have reached it’s “use by date” if they’re drawing on the

same musical ideas they were a decade ago. Unfortunately for Sum 41,

it seems the well has run dry.

1. Underclass Hero
2. Walking Disaster
3. Speak Of The Devil
4. Dear Father
5. Count Your Last Blessings
6. Ma Poubelle
7. Mach Of The Dogs
8. The Jester
9. With M