NOFX
Liberal Animation

If you are a fan—not necessarily an avid one—of '90s American melodic punk (or Skate Punk as most refer to it), when asked "Do you know NOFX?" I'm sure most of you wouldn't respond and, offended, would walk away casting glances that would make even Marlon Brando pale. Indeed, albums like "Punk In Drublic" and "...So Long And Thanks For All The Shoes" have made history in the genre and still remain etched in the memory of those willing to engage with these sounds.

However, at this point, I would like to delve into the early steps of this magnificent band by discussing "Liberal Animation": their very raw and energetic debut. Released in 1988 when Dave Casillas was still in the lineup (El Hefe, as you know, would only come after Ribbed), "Liberal Animation" reveals how a group of kids raised in California on bread and Minor Threat could make music: sonic violence like few others and strong social commitment; the album, in fact, can be considered a kind of concept on vegetarianism and generally on the whole Straight Edge attitude that was so popular on the West Coast at the time.

The energy unleashed by the album in the opening beats is incredible, thanks to SHUT UP ALREADY (chosen as a single) which concludes by picking up the famous Led Zeppelin riff from Black Dog, and FREEDUMB, a short song of 45 seconds with a truly hilarious politicized lyric. HERE COMES THE NEIGHBORHOOD starts acoustic but then erupts in continuous stop and go, followed by YOU PUT YOUR CHOCOLATE IN MY PEANUT BUTTER which mimics its style, placing it a notch below the first three tracks. SLOPPY ENGLISH features distinctive guitar work, a really well-executed chorus, and represents, for me, along with BEER BONG, the pinnacle of the platter. The pace remains high between vegan manifestos (PIECE, VEGETARIAN MUMBO JUMBO), Hardcore outbursts (NO PROBLEMS, ON THE RAG, A200), and less inspired tracks that feel like filler (I LIVE IN A CAKE, MR JONES) and slightly lower the general level.

Special mention goes to the concluding track, TRACK STOP BLUES, so different from the rest that it makes me think Fat Mike and company wanted to pay tribute to someone I've never managed to discern.

If you're curious and want to know the ancestors of songs like Linoleum, Bob, Stickin' In My Eyes, etc., all you have to do is grab "Liberal Animation," hit the play button, and enjoy the first cry of a band without compromises that has made musical and ethical consistency an essential cornerstone of its career and that, about twenty years ago, was producing LPs (also give some thought to its overwhelming successor) of good old American Hardcore Punk...