Enema Of The State
On their 1997 release,Dude Ranch, juvenile hardcore-pop band Blink 182 tickled the funny bone with an assortment of dumb sex jokes, off-color artwork, and between-song skits, including one of a dog drinking from a freshly peed in toilet. So, two years down the road, have the band matured at all? One look at the cover ofEnema of the State, which features cover art of a tarted-up blonde nurse donning a rubber glove, provides the easy answer. Fortunately,Enemasupports the humor with strong musicianship. The songs are more dynamic and multitempoed than those onDude Ranch, sounding like a cross between theDescendentsandFountains of Wayne. And unlike the glut of alt-rock releases that offer one or two memorable songs,Enemais flush with instantly memorable melodies and ear-pleasing harmonies. Good, dirty fun--no more, no less.--Jon Wiederhorn