I primi anni novanta sono fertili per il genere punk e derivati che torna alla ribalta e sulle scene a distanza di due decenni dai suoi albori. E il proliferarsi di gruppi che suonano i cosiddetti tre "accordi" ma pure no aumenta di giorno in giorno facendo la felicità di molti e la disperazione di qualcuno.
I Lagwagon al pari di Millencolin, No Use For A Name, Green Day e Offspring si formano a cavallo tra fine anni ottanta e inizio novanta. Si proprio i '90 l'era di Clinton, dei McDonald, dei mainframes e del consumismo esasperato di massa.
E' pure l'era di MTV che comincia a interessarsi al fenomeno, trovando un nuovo genere/modo per fare nuovi dollaroni freschi e far sprofondare nell'abisso della commerciabilità vari gruppi (ma con il conto in banca salito stile Zio Paperone).
C'è da essere contenti che in questi periodi a venire preso di mira non è più il "nu" punk, ma a dominare la scena sono gruppi di ragazzini poser con look da circo e affini (ogni riferimento è puramente casuale). Una buona notizia arriva dal fatto di vedere che un genere strasputtanato nel corso degli anni abbia perso parte di quel appeal e adesso il ‘panc croc' viene seguito non perché fa figo, ma solo da chi veramente questo genere lo appassiona indipendentemente da mode o quant'altro.
Tralasciato il periodo e la massa andiamo ad analizzare in maniera implicita questo lavoro discografico dei Lagwagon.
Con "Hoss" i Lagwagon del frontman Joey Cape arrivano al terzo album, seguito di "Trashed" dell'anno prima. Lo stile che pervade tutto il disco è il più classico hardcore melodico new school. Tanto che lo stile un po' ricorda i NOFX. Da segnalare che in questo disco dietro le pelli troviamo Derrick Plourde, ex batterista della band, morto qualche anno fa e a cui il gruppo ha dedicato il loro ultimo disco "Resolve".
Le canzoni sono tutte molto simili sia come durata (siamo dai due minuti scarsi ai tre minuti o poco più), sia come contenuti proposti. "Violins" e "Sick" sono le canzoni che hanno reso celebre il cd da molti ritenuto il loro migliore di sempre. La prima citata è sicuramente il picco dell'album, anche se entrambe non sono velocissime a parte le sfuriate finali. In effetti ricordano molto più i primi Green Day che gruppi hardcore.
Altri pezzi sicuramente da menzionare tra i migliori sono le velocissime "Name dropping" e "Weak" mentre convincono a pieno gli sbalzi di ritmo di "Sleep" che parte lenta e poi ingrana la quarta non fermandosi più fino al rilassato finale. Tra quelle della seconda parte da citare soprattutto la classica "Bro dipendement". L'ultima "Ride the snake" invece ha i connotati di una romantica canzone campestre, anche se è tutt'altro che dolciastra.
C'è da dire che nei vari pezzi sono riscontrabile piccole particolarità come assoli di chitarre, intro di batteria e giri di basso, se non che a tratti il gruppo esageri diventando troppo virtuoso e esagerando con le parti strumentali. Proprio il ricorso a diverse parti strumentali rappresenta un po' la loro peculiarità e il loro stile che li contraddistingue.
Non si riscontrano particolari pecche, a parte la mancanza di una maggiore varietà dal punto di vista compositivo che non avrebbe fatto che rendere il tutto un po' più arioso e fluido. Per chi invece odia a morte lo ska e lo skapunk che farciscono gli album dei NOFX e dei Millencolin (si veda il primo disco) dico di stare tranquilli: qui non ci si concede nessuna divagazione sul tema.
Per farla breve, un buon album piacevole, melodico e tradizionale in pieno stile Lagwagon primi tempi.
Elenco tracce testi e video
01 Kids Don't Like to Share (02:42)
And now you're searching for that new messiah,
it's your greatest passion,
to set 'em up and knock 'em down,
put him on a pedistal, idolitrary,
wear that ring you're married,
it all yours to their envy,
cause you hold a higher key of senses,
they are drawn like magnets,
to a genius it's confirmed
set him up and knock him down,
and your taste is so accountable,
but this is no great loss,
and sharing never was a choice,
burning on a cross,
gives your credit and a voice,
here to relay your beautiful ideals vicariously through them,
and when he died too many,
they are all pathetic,
you dethrone your king,
without listening, without ever listening,
Jesus Christ is realized,
as he burns on your cross,
this is no great loss,
another one will come,
the wait is short, the search is brief,
you find another faith,
another Clark Kent,
another Superman,
flashing in the pan,
taste is so accountable,
but this is no great loss,
sharing never was a choice,
he's burning on your cross,
gives you credit and a voice,
only here to relay your beautiful ideals vicariously through them,
and now they're searching for that new messiah,
is their greatest passion,
it's the latest fashion.
02 Violins (03:09)
I am just another fool
and I have to keep telling myself that
I am just a hypocrit
and I have to keep calling you on
and I forgot to bite my tongue
as my assumption is the mother of all mistakes
so I assume the role
open my mouth, and clumsy words escape
so why you, wanna be there
when you could be here
you are slippin' away
I awake with your replacement
a bottle in my grasp
in an unfamiliar place
'cause you put me out
the butt of your sick joke
into this ashtray life
as you come and go
cause I forgot to service you
and we broke down
and you can't live with my mistakes
so I assume false grace
open my arms
and grasp at something true
how are ya, how have you been
girl I miss you
wanna see you again
oh why ya, wanna be there
when you could be here
girl I'm sliping away
I bring out the worst in you
and you try to let me know
you bring out the worst in me
anxiety, anxiety
I'm trying to let you go
you say I'm giving you the creeps
so I assume the role, open my Claws
and grasp for your heart
How are ya, how have you been
girl I miss you, wanna see you again
into you, like a mortal stake
so vindictive, girl I'm sliping away
(Violins)...Into this ashtray life
(Violins)...the butt of your sick joke
(Violins)...I'm trying hard to let you go
03 Name Dropping (02:36)
Cristy can't take all the pressure
Kevin hates the girls he dates
Mia says she's gonna snap I need a new car to drive away
Derek beats up all his grilfriends
Jessie like to comb his hair
Hanacek is on the wagon, I tried not to speak today
[chorus]
You slip and fall they pick you up and throw you down again
I left them there and found them here
I was rarely smart enough to dodge the careless words
You find them everywhere it breaks you into two
Emily had sex with Joey
Chris is weird he must be gay
Everyone is smoking h and I tried not to laugh today
Every word you hear you repeat
Every word you repeat you change
Here's a quarter there's a phone, why don't you call someone who cares
[repeat chorus]
I left them there and found them here, it breaks me into two
04 Bombs Away (03:28)
You've got a thing about being lame you think you'll
show us all your handicap is great you've got a thing
about being lost you think with our concern you'll
find yourself and you'll never be forgotten your
family never wanted this one with all of her flaws
she's trailing far behind she's feeling incomplete she
has no will to win listening I live inside your room
and you punish me as though I punish you dumb
before it's done I am saint will you tell me now I
never could relate to how you've been forgotten your
family never wanted this one with all of her flaws but
I wanna know was this deprivation of money or of
love
(pre-chorus)
this is the last time you will be
denied girl you want that world that they took away
go pick up the pieces find inner strenght 'cause I
can't save you find the life you left in a box the world
you said has cut you off
(chorus)
Bombs await you
bombs away now let them all fall down you carry the
burden it fills you with regret you never finished that
feeling incomplete you carry their baggage the guilt
that holds you down
(repeat chorus)
Bombs away now 'cause life's been so hard
and so long that's why I'm writing you this song
05 Move the Car (03:22)
The story it grows older, the story is no story here
I never knew what it is, and there's no sign of it ending
As I am it and ought to be, they're telling me I am
[chorus]
Bowling race car driver, superficial hitman you're
On the list at every door, you don't bowl or race fast cars
Composition competition you drive
Just because I don't go, to the church where you reside
I might as well forget it, the nineties won't be back again
Until i'm forty-eight years old
I can be the hungry, as i eat my words again, appealing yet apalling
rising to my falling, I'm going to extreme ends, I'm gagging on their scene
[repeat chorus]
You shift, I'm the driver, over time in it's defense, I move their car
And for a moment it makes sense, but I fail them in the end
In the arms of old age, knowing only one to lose
Feeling nothing more to hide, consider life a forgery
As you抮e gagging on your scene, admit to fraudulence
Driven to this thought, death is certain, faith is not
[repeat chorus]
Composition competition you drive competition
Competition i抦 losing i fail it in the end
06 Sleep (01:57)
Hi it's me, I'm bored again.
All is well, I'm not insane
I've been drunk for seven days
Everything is fine
I made some friends and broke the ice
Then I ate some bread and cheese
Gained some weight to keep me warm
Everything's okay
It's me, delivering psychosis
Over the phone to you
I've colored your world blue
Ten thousand miles from you
I'm sinking all alone
Treading new waters
Where is my buoy?
The van smells like a dirty sock
Everyone has got the flu
I'd rather be just sick of you
I'd rather be asleep
It's me, delivering psychosis
Over the phone to you
I've colored your world blue
Ten thousand miles from you
I'm sinking all alone
Treading new waters
I'm missing my buoy.
When I get home
The band will have it's first hit song.
You and I will buy some rings
And a suburban home
I'll bring home the bacon bits
We'll make our parents grandparents
I'll take you out for breakfast at night
And then we'll go to sleep
07 Sick (02:58)
I've been living for years in question, some obsession
Was I less to live with no answers, as a life cried wolf
I'm ashamed to mention my anguish, but silence lies empty
If I say it again can I kill it, will you lend me your ears
Breathe in breathe out exhale, acting sweating
A broken smile provides them a view, projection is nothing new
Just once I would like them to feel it, suffer in my skin
For a moment stand in my shoes, filled with swelling blues
[chorus]
I keep this room, and this room keeps me, chained to my organs
I am quarantined, to a place that's dark, staring at three walls
The door is locked to them
Maybe now that they all know it, you'll find solace
As you're drowning in narcissism, or is it self-loathing
Cause you fought it all in your head boy, psychosomatic
They used to humor you now they pity you, and nothing's changed
I keep this room, and this room keeps me, chained to my organs
I am quarantined, to a place that's dark, staring at three walls
The door is locked behind me
If I say it again can I kill it
Because they're sick of my complaining and i am sick of being sick
Maybe these will cure you completely, chemicals deeply
Saviors until you're dependent, don't let them go to your head
I'm ashamed to mention my anguish, but silence lies empty, silence lies
08 Rifle (02:54)
I'm not the one who is pointing the finger
you hypocrite we're not true enough to be part
but I speak of what I have learned
I haven't a flag to be burned
born wrong
descend upon us you're only honest
but are you an artist or just a preacher to those who want to have everything
you told them to see
everything you told them to hear
we simply ask them to listen an express what we feel
born right
rifle me
playing on their sympathy
you're the one waving the flag
you're the one starting the war
we're not compromising or trying to conquer
09 Weak (02:38)
Come to know them and what makes them burn
Take out your aggressions and alleviate the hurt
Fueled by some loss we'll never know
I sit down now, cause I'm not playing with you
Abusing, amusing, your peers and all your demons
In passive, aggression, accusing all else but you
Hurt the ones, you've grown to love
You feed on them embitterment refills your empty soul
Release it into them your sharp words, alcohol enhanced
Fueled by guilt your checkered past, you had the last word
Laugh at me as I sit this one out, and they're dancing around me, afraid
Come to know them and what makes them burn
Take out your aggressions and alleviate the hurt
Fueled by some loss we'll never know
You give me strenght to call it, weak
11 Bro Dependent (01:41)
I try to focus on what I am,
listen to what I see,
I thought of this a lot and its becoming oh so clear.
I take it,
in excess,
but true feelings are supressed,
I cannot find the words to say it,
without hurting,
listening to what you say,
watching the things you do,
...and she can take a dose every...
as she wishes,
there's no relief.
Perhaps another drink.
And you take it,
in excess,
your true feelings are supressed.
you cannot find a way to cure it,
without hurting,
and you cure it,
but it seems your problems could relate,
obsession,
cumpulsion, my friend,
bordering everything,
so fucus on what you need,
listen to what you hear,
this is the last time I listen,
its becoming all too clear, (I completely confused it)
I take it,
in excess,
my true feelings are suppressed,
'cause when I find the words to say it it,
I've spoken all too soon.
12 Razor Burn (02:39)
She broke up with me,
two days later...
I think she met Don Juan in Italy,
she has a new man,
I have a new mustache.
Now all my friends are gonna call me mountain man,
and everyone will think that I'm a stupid drifter
to walk the earth alone,
I'll never shave again.
On the night she left me,
facial hair grew miraculously,
I dressed in black like Johnny Cash,
and grew this beard of shame.
I've heard it said she looks a lot like Sherilyn Fenn,
and some times i'm mistaken for Billy Gibbons,
look like a wise man, but I'm an idiot.
It's over,
she left me,
and she will soon forget me,
she found out I was lame,
I grew a beard of shame.
Come all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant,
I am a new man,
I have a beard of shame.
13 Shaving Your Head (02:44)
You used to watch them fall,
and you saw them distraught.
But the attention that they got,
it surrounds them.
As we watch them enslave,
you could only laugh,
what a looser, what a shame,
said we'd never play the...
And now it seems you haven't learned your lesson,
I guess you have to share the pain,
and now the tainted blood leaves stains beyond your back,
and in their words I hear your shame...
How can you lie to me?...
When in your eyes I can see crazed and vacant.
As you're caught in the act,
you always wanted this,
now you feel the stab,
Are you happy to be sad?
is there pleasure in the ...
And now it seems you haven't learned your lesson,
I guess you have to share the pain,
but now the tainted blood leaves stains beyond your back,
and in their words I hear your shame...
As it makes you sick,
Do I make you scared?
when you see what you once were,
as you're shaving your head.
...yeah...
The scared boy thinks he sees,
if you can't read his eyes,
but you can read, you can read his eyes,
his lies.
14 Ride the Snake (03:07)
Time to ride the snake, oh eyes gone dead and blank
I don't wanna talk to a stranger, I once knew
Single-minded hunt, to fill the bottomless well
I can't afford the labor of the feelings that you ask, you tax
[chorus]
Talk to me i can't hear you
Did you say, the pain has gone away
Just one question, will i see you at the show tomorrow
Or the snake
They could never tell, we are losing weight
They will all still love us, if they can not feel our hell
I'm not losing face, and they're not losing faith
We won't have to feel unless we quit, there's nothing more to hide
[repeat chorus]
Don't you know that he does everything, he buys the food and cleans
He knows what I need to go on
This is your last chance I can feel I'm fading and I want to disappear,
Disappear, there's nothing left to hear
[repeat chorus]
Will i see you at the show tomorrow, tell me then what's wrong
Carico i commenti... con calma
