Screeching Weasel – First World Manifesto – Review

Chicago’s Screeching Weasel has had a lasting impact on the punk scene that is still relevant today, though they haven’t been very active for the past decade. First World Manifesto, their first record in 11 years, is here to change that. The album picks up where 1998’s Major Label Debut left off, with a lot of faster skate punk songs, combined with their undeniably catchy style of pop punk. Time has not been kind to Ben Weasel, who is more jaded and pissed off than ever. This is evident right from the start with the first song, “Follow Your Leaders”. In this speedy song Weasel points out how hypocritically conformist and passive punk has become in a hilariously witty way. He points out that most punks are just “frat boys with sillier haircuts” and “PBR logos on all are shirts and record covers” who can’t wait to go to “punk rock bowling and then the fest is on [their] list next”. I don’t think you can put it much better than that.

My favourite song on the record is “Friday Night Nation”. It’s about how the punk scene is supposed to be a place for people who don’t care if they fit in, but for a lot of people it’s a big popularity contest. The most popular people tend to be the most out of touch with the music. hey’re just here because they just “don’t wanna be alone on Friday night”. It’s the outliers who end up doing something worthwhile for the scene. I think that’s very true from my experience, and it is one hell of a catchy song.

A close second is “Come and See the Violence Inherent in the System”. This is one of the songs that show the band exploring more skate punk sensibilities, and it works really well. It’s got a pretty typical theme to it about the decline of American society, and how as smart as we all think we are we can’t seem to stop it. I got goose bumps the first time I heard the line, “I’ve got it all figured out and I don’t have any doubt, so why am I so lost?” and right then the guitar comes in with a sweet little solo. That song is laid out perfectly, and the subject matter really rings true like most of the record.

Although as a whole First World Manifesto is the kick in the junk that punk rock needed, there are a few songs that I can’t believe made it on the album. For example, “Creepy Crawl”, which is just plain annoying in every way and sounds nothing like a Weasel song. Another one is “Dry is the Desert”, which is a slow and incredibly whiny love ballad. Anyone who listens to Screeching Weasel knows that Ben has got one of the whiniest voices out there, but once you get used to it it’s great. On these couple songs it is just too much, and I can picture Ben Weasel plugging his nose while singing.

Despite a couple of duds, this really is an incredible record that marks the return of a classic band. Too bad it might have ended as soon as it started with the stupid SXSW incident. Of course it was a dick move on Weasel’s part hitting a girl, but hecklers are scum anyway. I just wish she got her ass kicked by another chick instead. I also thought it was a little extreme for the entire band to quit after that happened, when they are about to go on tour and celebrate their 25th anniversary in May. But knowing Ben Weasel, he will just get a new band together in time for the anniversary. At least I hope so, because I really wanted to go.

Score: 4.5 (out of 5)

Release Date: March 15th, 2011
Record Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Genre: Punk

RIYL: Ben Weasel, Teenage Bottlerocket, The Queers.

Track Listing:
1. Follow Your Leaders
2. Frankengirl
3. Beginningless Vacation
4. Dry Is The Desert
5. Totem Pole
6. Creepy Crawl
7. Three Lonely Days
8. Friday Night Nation
9. All Over Town
10. Fortune Cookie
11. Baby Talk
12. Come And See The Violence Inherent In The System
13. Bite Marks
14. Little Big Man