NOFX
“Coaster”

NOFX goes back to basics; loud, fast and in your face, making this one of its best releases in years. Lead singer and owner of Fat Wreck Chords record label, “Fat Mike,” spent most of the last decade using his music as a political agenda fighting against Bush. Now that we have a new president, it’s back to some good old-fashioned punk rock.

The amazing guitars solos are produced by “El Hefe” that you can hear on the tracks such as “Eddie, Bruce and Paul” and “Blasphemy.” An unusual track titled “My Orphan Year” is a song where you might think that “Fat Mike” has grown up a little bit, talking about his relationships and losses of his parents. Not to be let down the humor that all NOFX fans have come to love is vividly apparent with the track “First Call” where well past alcohol being sold, he heads to the local bar for the first drink of the day at 6 a.m.

It’s good have you back, guys!

Grade: B+

Ben Lee
“The Rebirth of Venus”

In an album that Ben Lee dedicates to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, Lee brings a positive vibe for the negative times.

This album keeps a smile on your face from beginning to end. “I Love Pop Music” is an ironic take on the world today; a pop melody backs lyrics that touch on world issues. Lee gives hope to those who are searching to find themselves on “Boy With a Barbie,” saying it’s okay to just be you.

“The Rebirth of Venus” goes on to bring happiness, positivity and beauty through music. This album is a must-hear and don’t be surprised if you are reminded of Bob Dylan after listening to this album.

Grade: A-

Mike Jones
“The Voice”

First off, why is this album called “The Voice?” Mike Jones does not say anything on this album that could make him stand out as “The Voice.” I get it, his “schtick” is overly using his name as to remind you of who you are listening to. But now that we learned who he was on his last album, do we really need to hear it on this album? And if we do, does it have to be on every song?

If you are a multi-platinum recording artist, why would you constantly remind your fans that women wouldn’t like you if you weren’t rich? We get it, women only like you for your money. This is strike one.

The track “Cuddy Buddy” is a track that features T-Pain, Twista, and Lil’ Wayne. This sounds more like a T-Pain track that features everyone else. And if you’re going to have Lil’ Wayne on the track, make sure he brings his talent. Since when is it rhyming when you rhyme the word tonight with tonight three times in the same sentence? This is strike two.

I would put a strike three here except other featured artists save a couple of Jones’ songs. “Drop and give me 50,” with Hurricane Chris uses Hurricane’s fast lyrical style to keep this song up-beat and will make this track the next big dance hit. Trey Songz saves the track, “I Know” with a soothing voice that will have you grabbing your woman and hitting the dance floor.

This album will have you asking “Mike, why?”

Grade: D-