No Use For A Name: Hard Rock Bottom : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

With Hard Rock Bottom, longstanding California punks No Use for a Name broaden their musical scope to embrace strings ("Pre-Medicated Murder") and a Sinead O'Connor cover ("This Is a Rebel Song"). And since the group had gotten rather formulaic by '99s More Betterness!, the newfound diversity is refreshing. From its melodically somber opener ("Feels Like Home") to its last crushing thud ("Nailed Shut"), the outfit's ninth album finds No Use reaching the recorded apex of their fifteen-year history. Although vocalist Tony Sly fuels tracks like "Angela" and "International You Day" with tuneful allure, Dave Nassie's blistering guitar work ultimately stands out among these thirteen filler-free songs. And judging by the radio-ripe first single, "Dumb Reminders" -- brought forth with infectious hooks akin to the Foo Fighters (a group that counts former NUFAN guitarist Chris Shifflet as a member) -- the band just may come close to it's ambition of slaying the "mall metal" outfits like Creed it so despises.

JOHN D> LUERSSEN
(June 18, 2002)