Pennywise - ‘The Fuse’ (Epitaph) Released 27/06/05

 

 

Pennywise have been around since the Ark, in music terms anyway. With longevity lacking in the spate of pop punk fuelled one album wonders that bands like Green Day and The Offspring have spawned, Pennywise have been kicking around since the late eighties.

 

Not quite managing to make it big during the mid-nineties punk resurgence Pennywise has become one of those dirty secrets that quietly festers away in the background before exploding. ‘The Fuse’ is their eighth studio album and with a fresh and energetic sound shows no signs that the band are ready to down tools and have a quiet mid-life crisis.

 

There are so many great tracks on this album; ‘Knock Down’ is probably the most radio friendly off the album with a chorus more infectious than the flu. ‘Yell Out’ is a belter.  With a cruising speed of about 150mph, it blisters down the tarmac like a well tuned Ferrari.

 

 With a fair bit of Bush bashing political and social comment in songs like ‘Take A Look Around’, ‘Fox TV’, ‘The Kids’ and ‘Best I Can’ Pennywise prove they are still edgy and as angry as ever. Other highlights are the hardcore ‘Competition Song’ and the highly charged, ‘Closer’.

 

‘The Fuse’ is this summer’s must have album. It’s so hot it’s the new black. Sticking to their dedication to playing hard, fast and loud this album kicks some serious punk rock ass!