Screeching Weasel – Weasel Mania

Something is definitely wrong with me. I mean, why hadn’t I ever gotten off my lazy ass to check out Screeching Weasel? I don’t really know, but I do know that I regret not hearing them before now. Because as I sit through Weasel Mania, the band’s new “best of” album on Fat Wreck Chords, I’m simply amazed. Everyone of the songs be it from their first CD of Boogadaboohadaboogada or one of final three songs from Teen Punks In Heat, Screeching Weasel never slow down from the punk rock onslaught.

You see, Screeching Weasel is exactly what I’ve been missing in life. The thirty four songs on this best off collection are all short and quick, ranging from a measly 48 seconds (You’re The Enemy) to 3:43 (Every Night – most of which is a talking introduction). There’s the right selection of buzz saw guitar and antagonistic lyrics that are always simple, direct, and for the most part, quite funny (like on Joanie Loves Johnny, I Wanna Be A Homosexual, Pervert At Large or Jeannie’s Got A Problem With Her Uterus). That’s not saying they are all fun and games, there are a few slightly more serious songs like The Science Of Myth and Racist Society. But still, the highlight of this CD and every song on it comes in the form of Ben Weasel’s vocals. they are snotty, nasally and just really raw. They aren’t worn out by smokes and alcohol, but not polished or preserved like most of today’s pop-punk singers either.

Really, this is just a solid album from one of punk’s most influential and lesser-known bands. If you’re a fan, then its obvious that you’ll like this CD. And if you’re not a fan, but like quick, three chord punk rock songs and Nofx, then this is the perfect CD to add to your collection. I know it rounded mine off nicely.