Classic Californian punk act Pennywise returns to the scene after a 2-year break with From The Ashes. This album holds no surprises for anyone familiar with Pennywise's work: Churning punk guitars, crazy bass fills, and the complicated, highly political lyrics of Jim Lindberg. However, it's still a fun punk album, and in no way a very happy one.

The politics of the band are at the forefront of this album, as they always are with Pennywise. They paint a grim picture of a county being run by greedy corporations and heartless bastards whose sole aim is gaining money. Whether you agree with their politics or not, it's hard not to concede some of the points made by Lindberg, which is surprising, since most bands have trouble providing convincing arguments in 3 minute songs. Nowhere are Lindberg's politics more at the forefront than on the song "God Save The U.S.A." Reminiscent of the group's classic "Fuck Authority", this song is a denunciation of almost everything the current U.S. administration has done, as well as problems within the country. With lyrics like "It's all a joke in the good old USA/Government hypocrisy--American Idolatry--Corporate philosophy" and the chorus "God save the USA/blame the president and say your prayers tonight", Lindberg paints a grim picture of modern America.

I kind of like this album, but I keep running into the main problem I have with Pennywise: Every song sounds the same. It's very difficult to tell the difference between any of the songs if you aren't paying close attention. There are a couple of songs where this isn't true (most notably "This Is Only A Test", with its acoustic guitar intro and strange media sound effects), but for the most part every song follows the same format, and very similar riffs and rhythms. I'd give this album 7 out of 10.

Rating: 7 out of 10
High Points: God Save The U.S.A., This is Only A Test
Low Points: Look Who You Are