Release Date: Jul 17, 2007
Label: Tooth & Nail
Genres: Pop-Punk
Number Of Tracks: 16
MXPX makes the biggest impression when they stray from their usual pop-punk genre and dabble in a more aggressive sound.
Secret WeaponFeatured review by: UG Team, on july 27, 2007 1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: MXPX, one of the most prolific pop-punk bands out on the scene today, is set to release yet another studio album, which marks the first time in about a decade the band has returned to its original label Tooth & Nail. Their latest CD Secret Weapon has plenty of peaks and valleys among the 16 tracks, but it is refreshing to hear the pop-punk band still exploring a variety of styles and rhythms. MXPX also dishes out some candid lyrics with their usual humorous twist about the woes that the average pop-punk band might have to go through in a dollar-driven music world
While not every song captures your attention on Secret Weapon, there are still some that could expand their fan base. It’s actually when the band goes for a sound completely different than the pop-punk sound that vocalist/bassist Mike Herrera, guitarist Tom Wisniewski, and drummer Yuri Ruley make the biggest impression. “Chop Shop” walks the line between an aggressive punk song and a straightforward, up-tempo rock track. It also sounds like there is an additional vocalist helping out on the chorus (likely Wisniewski), giving the song an angrier sound that Herrera doesn’t always deliver. Instrumentally, one of the best features of the song is the siren-like sound heard throughout, which apparently (at least in part) is a guitar line mimicking it.
“Sad, Sad Song” is actually a throwback to '50s pop songs and is surprisingly effective. It’s the one track on the entire CD that doesn’t come close to sounding like anything else. There is more of a doo-wop background vocal aspect during the chorus, but it never feels like overkill. There is some guitar in the track, but it’s the bass line that carries it all. A cleaner guitar pops up intermittently, and it’s the perfect amount to add a little color to “Sad, Sad Song.”
The majority of songs on Secret Weapon do sound like your average pop-punk band, with “Biting The Bullet” being the main offender. The band definitely weighs heavier on the pop side with songs like “Bullet,” and unfortunately the result is fairly uninteresting musically. MXPX would probably be better off eliminating the filler songs, particularly considering that they’ll still have more CD tracks than the average band’s release. // 7
Lyrics and Singing: MXPX delve into a subject that obviously hit close to home with “Punk Rock Celebrity.” It definitely has a cynical tone and could possibly addressed to any of the labels they’ve worked with in the past. Herrera sings everything from “Punk rock celebrity is oh so fleeting” to “You’ve made such a big mess, but let’s call it a success.” The song has an authentic tone that stands out easily from the other tracks.
The band touches on a similar topic in “Top Of The Charts,” a pop-heavy track that sarcastically addresses the desire to be a celebrity in the music world. Herrera sings, “Everybody wants to be like the people on TV; Everybody wants to see the show for free; From the bottom of our hearts to the top of the charts.” While the format is pretty basic and doesn’t break a lot of new ground, the band still touches on some humorous topics that make the song a memorable one lyrically. // 9
Impression: While it’s respectable that the band does have the ability to write so many songs, a few of the tracks on Secret Weapon just bring the energy down and aren’t needed. It actually has nothing to do with tempo, either. “Sad, Sad Song” is one of the slower songs on the record, but because it draws on a musical style from a different decade, it is absolutely a worthwhile addition. MXPX does prove that it’s capable of doing a lot more of the usual pop-punk genre in a song like “Sad, Sad Song.”
MXPX has been able to reach out to a wide audience by being able to walk the line between punk and pop, but on Secret Weapon they are only at top of their game when they take risks. “Chop Shop” and “Contention” stray from the pop-driven, accessible sound they’re known for, and because of it those tracks immediately draw your attention. It’s in those moments where it’s obvious the band has created a tight rhythm section over the years, and the band should accentuate that even more on the next release. // 8
Secret Weapon
Reviewed by:
causomeguy35, on october 01, 2007 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Although MxPx strays from their original punk sound to more alternative sound, they sound really good in this album. They have more solos and everything. My top 5 songs from this are Secret Weapon, Top of the Charts, Biting the Bullet(is bad for business), Bass So Low, and Sad Sad Song. Although Sad Sad Song sounds like an old school pop song the bass in the intro just sounds cool. And in the song Bass So Low they have a really awesome bass solo in it. They even have the bassist from Bad Religion do a guitar solo in the song Secret Weapon and it just sounds awesome. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are really good. In most songs you can hear what he's talking about so you can get the point of the song. Like in the song Chop Shop, it's talking about a murder that apparently happened in Bremorton, WA. In Sad Sad Song he's just saying that he doesnt't want to be a part of a sad sad song because he wants to be positive. In Top of the Charts it sounds like they kind of make fun of themselves for never getting to the top of the charts while saying that it's not all that important. // 10
Impression: I think the most impressive song from the album is Secret Weapon just because it sounds so awesome. I don't really hate anything about this album but 1 thing I don't really like is the song Angels. The guitar is good but for some reason I just don't like it. I actually still don't have it yet but I'm borrowing it and you should definetely buy it. // 10
Secret Weapon
Reviewed by:
guitarfan93, on july 27, 2007 1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: I must say Mxpx really brought it this time. A great follow up to the IMO sub par job on panic. If you don't know Mxpx returned to their first label tooth and nail with their first producer Aaron Sprinkle (yes he did pokinatcha). Of course this album is very different from pokinatcha, yet in many ways the same. Mxpx brought their old self in the fact that most of their songs are much faster than the last couple of albums on A&M records and sideonedummy. But they brought a very melodic touch also. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: I must say most of the lyrics were pretty good, but soome were kinda cheesy. The song Chop Shop is about a string of murders that happened in Bremerton Washington (their hommetown), "She shouldve paid him back last week for all the meth, That small voice told him axe her to death". Most of the lyrcs are well written though like angels, Bass so low, and secret weapon. // 8
Impression: I believe this is at least 10x better than panic. My favorite song oof the album would be bass so low. It has a very modern rock element to it that isnt the normal mxpx style. Also Mike (bass) has a realy great bass guitar solo in there too (if ya didn't guess). I got the special edition version with the DVD which I would strongly advise paying the extra 5 bucks for. it's a 30 minute DVD that talks about the making of the record, and mxpx interaction with fans, and even some cool bonus stuff like you get to tour the bands apartment. I also got it signed by the band by a special offer and it came in a day early too. If it was stolen I would definately buy it again. // 10
I have all of the MxPx Albums andi have to say this album is much diffrent and its good most Pop Punk bands in there later years go to a heavier and then come back to pop punk its like sum 41 they were pop punk then punk then hard rock now there back to Punk its al good im really happy to get this album
no they aint. lol. only song i know of MXPX is "sing it loud" gr8 track, but wouldn't buy an album.
not saying theyre the greatest punk band but if thats the only song you've heard, that is one of their weakest songs off their weakest albums. Just letting you know
'Secret Weapon' has to be one of my favorite albums of all time. My second favorite MxPx album. More guitar solos, amazing bass lines, and of course, great percussion. I disagree with what UG said about the track, 'Biting The Bullet (Is Bad for Business)'. Personally, I think it's one of their best songs. But I like some of the more "pop" sounding songs. 'Sad Sad Song' is incredible. 'Tightly Wound' is another great track, with back-up vocals from Good Charlotte's, Benji Madden. I highly suggest you buy this album. It strays away from their later sound on albums like 'Panic' and 'Before Everything & After' and almost seems to head back to the 'Pokinatcha' and 'Life In General' era. Go get it. You'll enjoy it!
I remember listening to Life In General on cassette back in middle school... Gotta love this band. Good to see them back on Tooth & Nail Records as well.
I remember listening to Life In General on cassette back in middle school... Gotta love this band. Good to see them back on Tooth & Nail Records as well.
Yeah, dude!
Hopefully Tooth & Nail doesn't screw them over though. They do that with a lot of bands (the Side Walk Slam into Run Kid Run transformation for example).
Probably one of my favorite bands. Top 5 for sure.
Have a good day my punk friends!
Great album, kind of like they just wanted to try everything they hadn't gotten around to. I obviously worked. I enjoy the style of music in Panic a little more, but Secret Weapon is just as good musically.
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its al good im really happy to get this album
