Waikiki (album)
Waikiki is the fourth album by the American punk rock band Fluf, released in 1997. It was the band's first album with a major label. Production. Recorded at Big Fish Studios in Encinitas, California, the album was produced by Mark Trombino. The band spent 12 days recording "Waikiki", the longest they'd spent on an album. "Of the Bo" is about the prevalence of homophobia in the punk rock and alternative rock scenes. Critical reception. "The Austin Chronicle" thought that "ultimately, pure adrenal thunder is fluf's biggest attribute, but whether that's truly enough is questionable ." The "Calgary Herald" called the band "a taut three-piece that simply rears back and delivers edgy, contemporary, no-frills, topical rock 'n' roll that manages to be angry and articulate at the same time." The "Los Angeles Times" concluded: "In his own gruff way, [singer] O may be the most openhearted guy in all of modern rock. His main subject, as always, is the close-in examination of relationships--romantic or comradely--in which the ties that bind are often unwinding." "The San Diego Union-Tribune" deemed the album "meaty, Husker Du-like guitar chords and tightly constructed melodies ." The "Fort Worth Star-Telegram" determined that "throughout "Waikiki", the threesome with a big sound but a warm heart stirs up all sorts of fun, sweet noise, with first-letter-only leader O's clever guitar playing and husky voice leading the way." AllMusic wrote that "the lingering influence of Hüsker Dü can be clearly heard in such blasting yet warmly touching songs as 'Pushin' Back Days', while there's even a hint of the Cure's rushed guitar pop at points, especially in 'Class Action'."