I was first introduced to the Suicide Machines while playing "Tony Hawk Pro Skater". The song "New Girl" came on, and needless to say, I liked it enough to buy "Least Worst of the Suicide Machines: 1995-2001". The pure punk energy of "New Girl" is very evident throughout all 30 tracks. These guys combine several styles, most of which include ska, punk and metal. If you can picture a band that combines the sounds of Green Day, Sublime and the Voodoo Glow Skulls, you have a pretty good idea of what the Suicide Machines sound like.
One of the first things you will notice about these guys is that they're a very tight band. The production, engineering and timing is nearly flawless; not something you get from a lot of punk and metal bands. The mood of the music shifts drastically, sometimes even in the same song. One minute they'll be belting out metal riffs, backed up by screaming, and the next minute, they're freewheeling along to some sweet ska riff with a new range of vocal tones ("Too Much"). There are several standout tracks included here: "Break the Glass*," "Islands," "Too Much*," "No Face," "New Girl*," "SOS," "Vans Song*," "Permanent Holiday," "Sometimes I Don't Mind*," "Fade Away*". Although some of the music sounds like straight forward metal, a lot of it is filled with keyboards, and an assortment of brass instruments, giving the album a real diverse feel.
All in all, the Suicide Machines threw together a great compilation of their previous work. Spanning at 30 tracks, there is very little one can complain about. They have a refreshing sound for making the type of music that they make. Buy the "Least Worst" and discover the energy; you won't regret it.
See all 30 tracks on this disc
