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By BASSEY ETIM-EDET
The Free Lance-Star

Date published: 11/29/2001

Youth Correspondent

CD Name: "All Killer, No Filler"

Artist/Band: Sum 41

Record co.: Island

Other CDs by artist: "Half Hour of Power"

Rating: Ask for it as a gift.

Best-known songs: The fast, furious, ADD-inspired "Fat Lip," and "In Too Deep." It starts off a bit hip-hop/Sugar Ray-ish but then the drums get going (excellent drummer by the way) and you can't help but jam. It's what I like to call meaty. Plus the instruments and vocals are flawless.

Set this song on repeat: Probably "Fat Lip." It's an awesome song and once you actually take the time to listen to the lyrics you get a sense of how funny the band is.

Song that should've been left off the CD: "Pain for Pleasure." What the hell were they thinking? I know it's paying homage to their metal roots but it fits absolutely nowhere with the rest of the CD. It's soabstract.

Favorite lyrics: "Because you don't know us at all/We laugh when old people fall/But what would you expect with a conscience so small?" It's just funny. [Editor's note: and sarcastic.]

Sounds like: Don't shoot me, but it sounds a little like Green Day and Blink-182. Not entirely, it's just that when you're listening, you get this feeling like you've heard some of it before. And there's a good explanation for it. The guy who produced them, Jerry Finn, also worked with Blink-182 and Green Day.

Afterthoughts: The CD is a tidy union of pop-punk, hip-hop and skate. You can't find anything wrong with their skills, but listening to the lyrics you do get some insight into their demented humor--especially with songs titled "Crazy Amanda Bunkface." But overall the CD shows the band as what they really are--degenerate Canadian misfits. If you're part of the Ritalin community, make sure you take your daily dose before listening.

BASSEY ETIM-EDET is a freshman at Pace University.

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Date published: 11/29/2001