Wow. Okay, so this is a little odd; it isn't everyday I listen to a 18-minute piece of epic punk poetry, but here it is. SoCal punks NOFX just play and play, the distorted, melodic guitars and speedy drums forming a kind of pop-punk musical framework over which Fat Mike spins the story of modern America. The themes aren't particularly new -- "America's for sale, and you can get a good deal;" "the human existence is failing;" "there are no questions when the answers aren't asked;" etc. -- but the presentation's pretty unique. If you're hoping for some no-thought punk-pop (something even NOFX excels at, I must say), this isn't for you. This is a full-fledged punk manifesto, a sharply-edged piece of social criticism coated in some damn good singalong rawk. Will it change the world? Doubtful, but as the lyrics point out, the people who run this place are betting you won't care, and if you prove them right, they win. (JH)
(Fat Wreck Chords -- P.O. Box 193690, San Francisco, CA. 94119; http://www.fatwreck.com/)

In the spirit of Agnostic Front and Sick Of It All comes San Diego's No Innocent Victim, breathing life into the west coast hardcore scene. Their first disc for Victory is a solid hardcore album that showcases the metal-tinged interpretation of the genre at its finest. "Flesh and Blood," the album's opener, sets a high standard for the remaining 11 tracks, and they all easily measure up with no quarter given. Some may balk at the group's Christian outlook, but the damn album certainly rocked the hell outta me (pun not intended). There's actually a song on the disc that deals with this, "My Beliefs," in which vocalist Jason Moody barks "I thought hardcore was about standing up for what you believe in." Definitely true, and if anyone has the right to be lyrically challenging, it's these guys, 'cause they definitely deliver the goods musically. (MHo)
(Victory Records -- P.O. Box 146546, Chicago, IL. 60614; http://www.victoryrecords.com/)