No Use For A Name (NUFAN) has released their ninth studio release appropriatly titled The Feel Good Record Of The Year.  Many may think such a title is pretentious or perhaps sarcastic, but when you have been in the punk rock scene for twenty years you have every right to title a CD with such a statement.   The advantage to The Feel Good Record Of The Year is that it is so true as NUFAN created a CD full of punk rock anthems, melodies, and sing-a-longs perfect for enhancing a good mood.

NUFAN are major contributors to the 90’s SoCal punk rock subculture alongside fellow label mates NoFX  and Lagwagon.   Their style of punk rock, once a little harder, evolved through the years and has matured with elements of pop punk added with memorable lyrics and guitar riffs.  They have the title of being one of the only bands on the Fat Wreck Chords record label ever to have a video aired on MTV (Fat Wreck Chords has since chosen to stay away from mainstream).

The foursome currently consists of original members Tony Sly (vocals/guitar) and Rory Koff (drums) beside former Face To Face bassist Matt Riddle and Dave Nassie (lead guitar).  With respectful changes the band went through over the years, NUFAN has mostly remained a solid structured band and has toured the world and has been welcomed by millions of fans.

Starting off the fourteen track CD is “Biggest Lie”, making for a great start.  This was the best track on the CD, hands down.  The old style dance music starting off the powerful aggressive yet poppy punk rock song is the perfect introduction.  I felt like I already knew the words Tony Sly belted out over the fast drumming and fun guitar.  I love how the lyrics suggest fake Hollywood and America for that matter.

Following the impressive opening song is “”I Want To Be Wrong” a high paced track about lies and secrets that has been played a couple of times over now as I like it so much.  Next up was “Yours To Destroy” a rather mellow track over the others talking about broken hearts.  The gloomy singing denying misery is over come with higher spirited vocals making for a catchy song.  Tony Sly just has that voice that is inviting to listen to regardless if he is singing about good times or bad.

The acoustical folksy jam “Sleeping Between Trucks” is worth a listen.  It is a calm track about traveling the road thinking of a loved one.  The song reminded me of something that could be sung by a group of close friends as they gathered around a camp fire.