Reviewed on Apr 28, 2008 by Roel

Ah… Good old Pennywise. They just don’t seem to get old. Anno 2008 they’re back with their new album, it being their ninth in total and their first for Myspace Records, meaning you can download this album for free at their myspace page. Cool stuff. I can write a long review about their history and whatnot, but basically everybody knows this band, their history and their sound already. If you like them you know what to expect, if you dislike them you won’t be interested in this release. It’s as simple as that.

That being said, “Reason To Believe” is a return to form for the long running band. I liked their past albums unlike many other people, even though I too have to admit that they where lacking a bit in staying power and energy. It just sounded like the same old stuff being rehashed over and over again. It made me wonder whether I grew out of their sound over the years, but thanks to “Reason To Believe” I can answer that question with a big fat no.

Pennywise anno 2008 sounds as convincing and relevant as on their best album, to my opinion anyway, “Full Circle”. The album opens with “(Intro) As long as we can” and sounds like Pennywise in their best form being fast and incredibly catchy. Including a couple of Whoa’s for your listening pleasure. The next four songs are of the same high quality, with “All we need” being the best of the bunch. I think it’s even one of the best songs the band has ever written.

Where I mostly get bored with their slower songs, I really enjoyed “The Western world”, “Confusion” and “Affliction”; a trio of somewhat slower but catchy songs. It makes the album very consistent from beginning to end. The first half of the album is near perfect, but I find the songs of the second half of the album to be a bit less interesting. Still, there is no bad song to be found here.

Pennywise is back and sounds stronger than ever. Still belting out fast and catchy energetic skatepunk tracks with socially-conscious lyrics like they always have, the band seems to be enjoying themselves enough to last for another 20 years. Props go out to the band for recording such an awesome album so late in their careers. Download it now.

Related Links:

• www.myspace.com/pennywise

1. (Intro) As Long As We Can
2. One Reason
3. Faith And Hope
4. Something To Live For
5. All We Need
6. The Western World
7. We'll Never Know
8. Confusion
9. Nothing To Lose
10. It's Not Enough To Believe
11. You Get The Life You Choose
12. Affliction
13. Brag, Exaggerate & Lie
14. Die For You
15. Next In Line

Band Profile

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Album Reviews

	Reason To Believe Mar 25, 2008
	The Fuse Aug 8, 2005
	From The Ashes Oct 28, 2003
	Land Of The Free Jun 19, 2001