Pop punk royalty Blink 182 has released a 25th Anniversary edition of their seminal album Take Off Your Pants And Jacket, and there are even 6 additional tracks to enjoy. The record is a go to collection for the disenchanted too, a compendium that includes burgeoning love songs and sad songs, tracks which offer not much in technical progress, but it’s a LP fun infused with a dark backbone. This doesn’t mean it’s an under powered record nor is it one that is full of fluff, as it actually makes sense, in terms of story.
That being said, Blink 182 isn’t a band that rest on making grade A poetry, but with this particular album, they go through the motions and emotions. Yes, it could be classed as an emo phase, as the band tackle love and all of its excess. When, it comes down to it, the band is, in truth, making music which shows their vulnerabilities, and while the riffs are pleasing it’s the lyrical cohesiveness which exhibits strength of character.
And throughout the album, the band plays their hearts out, and to be perfectly frank, the act pulls off a wonder. And while Take Off Your Pants And Jacket may be to some a collection of youthful songs aimed at teenage rage, and there’s truth to that, but it does have structure, there is a plan of action bubbling, a coherent template, and that’s testament to band’s never say die attitude.
Picking through these tracks doesn’t take much time. There are, in fact, 19 songs on the anniversary edition. And these songs do intertwine; they deliver chronicles, stories, of youthful abandon. Anthem part 2 opens gloriously with a trademark Tom DeLonge riff, and powerful percussion from drummer Travis Barker. DeLonge sings and bellows for strength in a warped world, and the political slant adds flames to the fire.
First Date is a song dressed in hooks, and it’s a polished take on love. DeLonge yet again delivers his unorthodox vocals here, pushing the love story forward. He also craves the love to be frozen in time, to be savoured. Story Of A Lonely Guy is another track peppered in simple chord progressions, but these riffs ultimately work, and they’ve been structured well. The guy in this fable is lost and love is kicking at him, pushing him into reckless moods. He’s torn, too, inside and breaking by the minute.
The Rock Show delivers some youthful power. It balances love and nervous impulsions. Again, this guy breaks down, his mind brutalised by waiting on a girl who isn’t on the same wavelength. And it’s another well composed song worthy of being a classic. On the flip side, Stay Together For The Kids is an emotive track, poignant in its delivery, pushing the man close to oblivion. That little, riff makes for good hearing and bassist Mark Hoppus sings with DeLonge adding his voice in the chorus.
Within this collection, there are 6 songs, that aren’t in fact brand new. These tracks have been added into the mix, as b.sides, and some are listenable, and yet there’s some that don’t offer anything to the musical world. In terms of scope and quality, they sound drowned out. What Went Wrong? Is the only exception, as there are some likable notes.
Overall, Take Off Your Pants And Jacket still holds its own in the pop punk scene. It isn’t a masterstroke, in any sense, but it has given these immature guys stardom and financial stability beyond their wildest dreams.
Blink 182: Take Off Your Pants And Jacket – Out Now
