From 2000 until 2004, Sum 41 had released 3 albums full of fun. They were a fun band from the beginning. But when they released Chuck, their third full length, the mood had changed greatly. It was darker and heavier than anything they had ever done. Then they released the politically (and Green Day) influenced Underclass Hero that had a feel like their older releases, but it was anything but fun. It was a flop to say the least.
In 2011, they are back with their fifth full length, sixth release, Screaming Bloody Murder. The fun has been driven out of the music again, but there are reasons for this. Lead singer Derrick Whibley divorced punky starlet Avril Lavigne, lending a lot of angst musically and lyrically. Also, Tom Thacker, formerly of Canadian punk band Gob, has been added to play lead guitar. While he only lent his creativity to the title track, Sum 41 is able to get that big heavy sound they had before Dave “Brown Sound” Baksh left the band.
The album kicks off with “Reason To Believe”, a huge drum and guitar rocker that ends beautifully on piano. The debut single, “Screaming Bloody Murder” follows, and was the only song written by Thacker. While Thacker appears in pictures with the band, he is not listed as a band member, and is only credited with writing the title track. Whibley played all guitars on the album, like Underclass Hero. Playing or not, Thacker hit the mark with “Screaming Bloody Murder”. It is the perfect first single from this album. While the next song, “Scumfuk” was leaked early on in the recording process, it certainly doesn’t work as a single.
“Time For You To Go” shows a new a vibe that is brought into play this time around. It’s a garage rock feel with a distortion to the vocals, yet a less processed distortion to the guitars. There is also some classic rock organ. You can tell the band is having fun recording it because it’s got the passion of their earlier records. And while Chuck was not a fun record, it definitely had that passion. This style appears again on “Baby You Don’t Want To Know”.
“What Am I To Say” and “Crash” are the softest songs on the album, and both beautifully crafted. Both seem like letters to Avril, a final goodbye, if you will. “Crash” is a piano and acoustic guitar accompanying Whibley’s heart-aching voice, while “What Am I To Say” is in classic power ballad fashion. Both are highlights for sure.
Near the middle of the album is a trilogy of songs titled “A Dark Road Out Of Hell”. “Holy Image Of Lies”, “Sick Of Everyone” and “Happiness Machine” make up the three songs in the story. They are the heaviest songs on the album and the angriest. There is heartache in the first song, resentment in the second, and reflection of whatever transpired in the relationship. The songs are separate on the album, but mesh together like they are one. The lyrics in the liner notes are all written together, so it is possible Whibley wrote all three songs together while on a lover’s lamenting binge.
Without a doubt, this is Sum 41’s most passionate album. A lot of people will compare this to Chuck, but that’s not fair. Both are dark and heavy, but the darkness on each is completely different.
Overall: 4/5 The Sum 41 we knew as kids is gone. It’s not all bad though. Screaming Bloody Murder is a well written album with some really beautiful songs and a few headbangers. It might not make you want to party with your buds like the old stuff did, but it might still make you want to drink if you’re depressed. The emotion on this album is similar to Reggie and The Full Effect’s Songs Not To Get Married To, and for good reason. Both are divorce records. And both are excellent.
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