BLAZE

Only listened to it a few times, but I think this is Lagwagon's second best album... which means it deserves 6 stars. I don't know why everyone thinks the 2 albums that preceded this one are so great by the way... I mean they are great albums but not Lagwagon's best. Without any doubt, "Hoss" is Lagwagon's best album and perhaps one of the best punk albums of all time. This one is a close second, and reminds me somewhat of the energy, sincerity and talent displayed on that album. I was extremely happy to hear them return to the level of performance that they had on "Hoss," even though the music isn't quite the same. They should put cheesy retro cowboy guys on all their albums if it means having a good one.

Great album

COME ON E!

Great product.

I wanted to give this CD more stars but was limited to only 5. I have listened to a number Lagwagon CDs and while they were all good Blaze was the best I heard. Great CD!

Been a Lagwagon fan for over twenty years and have enjoyed every release the band has ever released. Some albums like "Trashed", "Duh" and "Hang" are more aggressive and metal influenced while others like "Hoss", "Let's Talk About Feelings" and this here, 2003's "BLAZE" are more melodic and lean more towards pop punk. I love both different styles the band plays and they hit it out of the park with this album. "Blaze" has some of the catchiest song writing in the band's, naa scratch that, In the genre altogether. You will be singing songs like "Burn", "I Must Be Hateful", "Max Says", "Billy Club" for days after listening to them. Don't let the upbeat, catchy sounding vocal melodies fool you though, the musicianship is so tight and smooth that after multiple plays, you'll start to notice all these underlining bass lines and guitar melodies that didn't jump out upon the first listen. I will always put "Trashed" above the rest because that was my first and it reminds me of a more innocent time, growing up in the early to mid 90's but "Blaze" is my number two. A masterpiece of modern Melodic/Pop Punk.

Blaze is a return to form for Lagwagon having been absent from the punk scene for a short period of time (their last release was 98). This is an amazing cd but you cant help but wonder why it took such a long time to make the album has a subtle change to it compared with all the other lagwagon albums but then every album is different by this band hence the fact they are one of the best punk bands to ever peform. With blaze there are more trademark lagwagon solos and even a couple of songs that would fit in with plaidinum. Stand out tracks on this album are i must be hateful, dancing the collapse, baggage and max says but even with those tracks edging been the best on the cd every other track is just as good in it's own way.Blaze comes across as more punky than melodicly punk like a few of Lagwagons previous albums but it still manages to combine the two genres it's good to seem them still releasing quality punk rock and they still are withoutdoubt in my top 10 favourite punk bands which is saying alot really. The lyrics still maintain been insightfull and empathic as with all of Joey Capes material and blaze in my eyes is one of the few pio-neering releases this year. The first track burn is the prelude to what is a great punk rock album even if you arent into punk because of what you heard in the mainstream chances are you will love this band.A few tracks even have a slighty metal on the solos which is a sighn of them heading back to their roots of metal a little the solo on baggage reminds me off something you would hear on a rush album only it's a short punky solo which blends in really well. With their been such a heavily populated punk scene in california or at least that area at the moment it's hard to find a band that really does stand out Lagwagon are really part of the minority, NOFX are to a certain extent but i dont particulary like NOFX even though it has to be said there are at times vague NOFX influences on blaze which go well with the music (that is not to say Lagwagon are imitating NOFX like many people assume).Lagwagon are quality musicians and have have been around for a bit in the punk scene ie (Rich kids on LSD) etc so you know that the experiance can help in a band and it turns out it does with this release, i cant really recommened blaze enough, discover the lagwagon genre and you'll see what i mean.