May 8, 2001 - All Killer No Filler

Two weeks after my last release and just under a year since their debut EP "Half Hour Of Power", Sum 41 released their first full album "All Killer No Filler" on May 8, 2001. Sum 41 continue to play pop-punk and this album was a huge commercial success, vaulting Sum 41 into the limelight, including three very popular singles. I have all three singles, and just one other song off this album (I'm not a huge Sum 41 fan, but these songs are very nostalgic), so let's listen to just a bit of Sum 41! 

The first hugely successful single is "Fat Lip" and it has a really catchy main guitar riff by Dave Baksh driving things along and drummer Steve Jocz does co-lead vocals with Deryck Whibley on this song and the two of them play off each other nicely, going back and forth in the verses. Whibley sings the chorus himself, and it's a pop-y and catchy chorus that is hard not to sing along to once you know the words. After another round they slow it down briefly with a really pop-y part, only to spring nicely into an almost nu-metal part with some fast vocals and some nice heavy guitars. This part is pretty cool, then it's another pop-y chorus to predictably wrap things up. An undeniably accessible and solid song! Another pretty successful single I have is "Motivation" and it's got a repetitive but decently catchy main riff and Whibley sings a solid pop-punk verse and chorus overtop. This one is a lot simpler than the last one and it has single written all over it with such an easily memorable main riff and chorus. After a couple pop-y rounds there's a catchy new riff by Baksh and some nice fast drums by Jocz and they play a nice stripped down version of the chorus before everyone comes back in for a predictable finish. Thisbine's more nostalgic than good for me, but it's worth it! The next song is arguably their biggest hit if their career and it's called "In Too Deep". Baksh plays a light and catchy guitar riff and Whibley sings a catchy pop-punk verse overtop. They build up to the chorus nicely and it's a repetitive chorus, but it's loud and catchy and how can you not sing along?! This song really is quite simple and pop-y, but it's really really catchy and it was one of my favourite songs way back in grade 5. After a couple rounds Baksh unleashes a short but pretty wicked guitar solo that is a welcome surprise, then they nicely tie things back to the main riff and jam out the chorus a bunch of times until the end. Not a great song, but certainly a catchy and memorable one! The last song I have off this album is "Heart Attack" and Baksh plays a light but smooth and catchy guitar riff as Whibley sings a pop-y verse overtop and they do a nice job of ramping up to the chorus where Baksh shifts to some nice heavier guitars and Whibley yells in a solid voice. Another pop-y verse and nice rock chorus later they continue the nice rock part for a bit longer, then they hit reset and just do it all again. It's pretty repetitive, but the heavier chorus is pretty good. Until the next time Sum 41 pops up in my library!

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