"Shout Above the Noise" Radio Show

Adolescents - OC Confidential
(Finger Records)
(REVIEW BY DAVE GETZOFF)

Orange County's early eighties punk rock legends, the Adolescents, are back with a great new CD. I am a longtime fan of the band's self-titled debut album on Frontier records. The thing that I have always liked about this band is that during the early eighties hardcore heyday, they brought a more melodic edge to the music, along with the likes of Social Distortion, Agent Orange, the Descendents, and others. Certain members of the Adolescents also played in Social Distortion and Agent Orange at one time. The new album, OC Confidential, seems to stick with the same format. It is a strong-sounding record with good melody all the way through, perhaps even more melodic than the band's previous records. The band has obviously matured lyrically in 25 years. They went from writing songs like the juvenile classic tale of Mike Ness's apartment, "Kids of the Black Hole" and the song about annoying kids, "I Hate Children". They now have a song about their kids, "California Son", and some political songs as well. I wish I had heard this album previous to seeing the Adolescents in Philadelphia over the summer. I could have appreciated hearing the new songs live much more. This CD is essential for all Adolescent fans.
--- Dave Getzoff February 8, 2006

(Originally Posted on Now Wave Webzine on February 8, 2006)