NOMEANSNO meansitstimetogetcreative

No Means No has been rocking the punk scene for about twenty years, and the “Worldhood of the World” is right up there with the rest for the uniqueness of the music, but it is over the top with rockin’ tracks. “Joy” is the first track, and it starts with Rob Wright singing joy in a build up until he is at least he is belting it out at the top of his lungs. Joy creates a build up that sets the pace for an album that builds and fades through out with tunes like Lost which begins slowly, and then ends up sounding like a punk rock newscast, or recollection in speech form, and the faster rockin’ tracks like Wiggly Worm, Humans, and . This album is something you have really got to get to understand what I am trying to describe
I believe that my new favourite tune on this album is “Tuck It Away”. This track is hard and fast all the way through, but there are three different parts if the great “Tuck it away” chorus is included. In fact I have been so inspired by this album that this flashback is has become a NOMEANSNO double shot with “Why Do They Call Me Mr. Happy?” which I just picked up Sunday at Music Trader - The best music store in Winnipeg.





“Why Do They Call Me Mr. Happy?” is a great release on the Alternative Tentacles record label from 1993. It is no surprise after hearing this album why Jello Biafra (owner of Alternative Tenticales, amd former Dead Kennedy’s lead man) signed these guys to what is a rather exclusive label in terms of the types of bands that get signed. It reminds me a little of G7 Welcoming Committee which deals mainly in experimental, and politically driven bands.
This album has some great bass lines that actually remind me of an early Red Hot Chili Peppers in the 80’s when they played more funk, with a dash of Less Claypool, although they don’t get quite as wild as Claypool - few can.. Songs like “Madness and Death”, and “Why Do They Call Me Mr. Happy?” are two tracks that really go off on nice bass lines. They also feature unique, and epic vocals from Rob Wright, which as in every NOMEANSNO album engages the listener whether they care for the fast, or experimental tunes. “Kill Everyone” is an 8 minute roller coaster ride that includes the vocals and bass I discussed, and a great Dead Kennedy like ending. Every NOMEANSNO album is bery similar in that for some these songs may be too experimental for them to enjoy, but I really think anyone who has a decent ear for what is good, compared to what is catchy will see the greatness in each of these albums.
My recommendation is that if you take a chance on these albums try songs like Humans, and maybe check out “Why Do They Call Me Mr. Happy?” once you are down with the later stuff, but if you got the intestinal fortitude to get down with so weird shite this albums may just get you as jacked up as I am right now listening to “Land of the Living”