It must be said that the cast of this "Tribute" is quite attractive for all fans of punk rock US-respecting, among Fat Mike (his friend and producer), Joey Cape (his sidekick), Karina Denike (singer who often collaborated with NUFAN) or the legendary Brett Gurewitz (her first producer), and an incredible number of great bands such as Bad Religion, Lagwagon, Pennywise, Anti-Flag, Swinggin 'Utters, Rise Against and NOFX, to name a few . Each recaptured the songs of Sly, or in the style of the group in question or in a different style ... with varying degrees of success (but I will return).
I want to clarify, for those who are above all a fan of No Use For A Name, the pieces in question are only half those Sly wrote / performed with the group. The other half of the compositions Sly did for his two solo albums ("12 Song Program" and "Sad Bear"), so not necessarily the same ilk / type as those albums of NUFAN even if we find there despite all the characteristic paw Tony Sly.
This is obviously a tribute to the artist and not the group, although personally I find the unbalanced proportion. NUFAN because it was first and foremost Tony Sly, since his arrival and its leadership taken 89 before the release of the first album all. Without him, the group would never experienced this success, nor that evolution. Besides NUFAN officially stopped since his disappearance. So it is a shame to have taken as many pieces of solo albums of Tony Sly, a very short period (between 2010 and 2011) compared to the many others he could compose in over 20 years (since 1989 ) with No Use For A Name, and that fans would surely have liked a little more back here in this "Tribute".
My second concerns precisely flat pieces taken from NUFAN, that does not necessarily make all very well in their modern versions. Especially for those reinterpreted Pop-Folk style, who swear a bit with what Tony Sly had even made him (with Joey Cape) on two albums "Acoustic" of times, but this is a purely subjective opinion (perhaps like some). However, the treatment made her personal compositions is much more interesting because it allows to approach the record might have had these songs (basic Folk) if Sly had intended for a future album of No Use For A Name (therefore in a more punk style).
It breaks my heart a little to say this, but in the end I have not really been conquered by this Tribute in its implementation, although I fully endorse the fundamental approach, besides the money raised by sales is for a foundation (so it from a good feeling). And of course this does not diminish the talent and career of Tony Sly, the fans (which I am one) are necessarily orphaned today.
The No Use For A Name has not had the success or the chance of Green Day or Offspring of the same time, signing a major record label that would have propelled their will on the international stage. However, this is probably the group that offers both the greatest variety, density, ripeness (quality?) The genre through their albums. Whether you are a fan of hardcore debut ("Incognito"), the flagship skatecore period ("Leche Con Carne" and "Making Friends"), or emocore started turning from the album "More Betterness!" The NUFAN crossed eras and Punk modes without distorting but stagnate either.
Over the years, we felt perfectly this will to Tony Sly ask his style, delegating guitar riffs, to go to singing and melody, where the decline made to NUFAN after "The Feel Good Record Of The Year "in 2008, signing more personal and even alternative projects with Scorpio last group (founded with Joey Cape). I think NUFAN had started work on the next album, shortly before his death, perhaps will we soon flanges (or b-sides) of the 1st recordings?
Still thus ends this adventure and I think that, ultimately, the best tribute to Tony Sly is none other than replay all albums (Me included). For those who would like to discover the No Use For A Name without necessarily buy everything, there are 2 Best-Of, 1 "All The Best Songs" includes most of the biggest hits of the band just before the last album. Nest Of The 2nd-being "The NRA Years", which brings him pieces of the first 2 albums before signing with Fat Wreck Chords (although these 2 albums were reissued by Fat Wreck since), and is perhaps less interesting / representative for non-fans. However, one of the best purchases to make is the live album "Live in Die" released after "More Betterness!" Which really transcribes how this group (and Tony Sly defintion) could be great at its peak, both just before and just after elsewhere.
RIP Tony Sly!
