The Chuck Norris Experiment – Best Of The First 5

Reviewer: Chris Hattingh

Chuck Ransom – Vocals                                                                                                       Chuck The Ripper – Guitar                                                                                                           Chuck Dakota – Bass                                                                                                                      Chuck Buzz – Drums                                                                                                                     Chuck Rooster – Guitar

   What do you call a group of Chucks? A gaggle? A swarm? A herd? A pride? A tribe? I give up, but what I do know is that this assortment of Chucks delivers the goods. This is a great collection of what I call punk pop. I’m a little hesitant to label them as an out-and-out punk band because they don’t sound as raw and undisciplined as The Dead Kennedys or The Sex Pistols (although they do have plenty of the same angst and energy). But the rough edges have been smoothed out and the delivery is a little more radio friendly…more along the lines of Green Day or The Ramones.

This is high energy guitar rock with plenty of catchy hooks. While the music instantly reminds me of Green Day and The Ramones, I also hear some 80’s rock influences, and more than a few Slash-type guitar solos. I liked the use of wah-wah on some of the leads. I also liked the bass intro and the short tribal type drum solo on “All We Had In Common Was Our Name” (a fitting song title). The vocals have just the right amount of emotion and energy to be believable and appealing.

The production quality is first rate. I especially liked the intro swells and echo loops in the beginning of “Grab It Good”. An excellent mixing and mastering job.

I would recommend this album to all Green Day and Ramones fans, but this release should also have some crossover appeal to more mainstream rock fans.