Reviews

There’s something really refreshing about a no-nonsense pop-punk album sometimes.  Without resorting to emo-breakdowns and a second screaming singer, Lagwagon remains melodic and punk and listenable.  They should, since they were doing it over ten years ago when they were in their early forties. The Live in a Dive series continues to be great examples of Fat bands, with particular strength in recording quality which makes them some of the few quality live recordings out there for independent label bands. 
 
 I am not a traditional fan of Lagwagon or of pop-punk in general, but I have to say that this is a very easy to listen to album, and yes, while they sound ridiculously similar to other Fat pop-punk bands like No Use for a Name and NOFX, they are still playing the music they love into their geriatric days and having stupid amounts of homoerotic fun all the way.  For a hint, check out the computer extras on the cd, which include a live version of Mr. Coffee which doesn’t make the audio cd and an interview performed by Fat Mike from a toilet seat.  There is also a new, unreleased song (the Chemist) mixed in. 
 
Overall, any existing fan will want it and anyone tired of the formulaic crap that’s been flooding the independent labels lately might want to take a look at one of the original pop-punk masters.