Revisiting Blink-182’s Enema of The State
Do people still like it when it turned 23?
The year was 1999. 5 years prior, The Offspring released their third album Smash. At the same time, the trio Green Day signed to a major label and released their breakthrough record Dookie.
Yes, Punk Rock burst into the mainstream, much to the chagrin of the punk scene, who saw the bands to come out of this breakthrough as sellouts.
Another trio from Southern California had been making the rounds; another punk trio named Blink-182 just released their major label debut: Dude Ranch in 1997.
Dude Ranch sees the band improve on their cohesion and prowess but also retain their raw and chaotic punk sound.
However shortly, they fired their old drummer Scott Rayner, and recruited Aquabats drummer Travis Barker and producer Jerry Finn.
The rest of the band was very much inspired to play better, which resulted in the milder and even more refined Enema of the State, released in 1999.
Looking back, its pompous and almost humorous sense of angst feels like a relic of its time.
Sure, Pop Punk notably had a resurgence in the 2020s, but it’s without the immature carefree nature of Blink’s earlier music, instead taking a page at more mature material that dealt with alienation, depression, and dread.
But I’m not choosing one over the other, I think the latter is more sustainable for the long term. But it’s not like Mark Hoppus and Tom Delonge’s songwriting is completely braindead.
Blink really doubled down on the melodic aspects of their songs, to some, leaving little semblance of what was left of their punk status.
The very catchy instant hooks, the dynamic guitar riffs of Tom that graduate from just power chords, to Mark’s signature bass chords.
The back and forth between Mark’s bass-like throat singing with Tom’s nasal high singing.
And don’t forget, Travis’ breakneck drum fills make you forget that he first played for a Devo-looking ska punk band before this.
Though the rather juvenile lyricism present in… almost all of the songs present an angsty disdain or response even to very mundane events.
Mark Hoppus and Tom Delonge’s songwriting, a lot of times, isn’t really autobiographical, but more or less writing in the minds of a teen.
In the way I described it, it sounds much more insincere than the final product, but really, it sounds more sincere than ever.
Speaking of which, the band never really took themselves seriously, from running naked in the video for What’s My Age Again to parodying the Backstreet Boys on All the Small Things.
In fact, they were pretty famous for it, often changing lyrics in live shows about dick jokes and potty humor, or the minute-long Family Reunion, or whatever they’re alluding on Dysentery Gary.
Fuck this place, I lost the war
I hate you all, your mom’s a whore
Where’s my dog? ’Cause girls are such a drag
On the flipside though, in a way, we see Blink embody the same pop sensibilities it makes fun of through this album.
This was a pretty common criticism thrown in at the band, that to some, they’re just as mass-produced as the boy bands they made fun of.
To some at the time, the video’s irony passed over their heads and treated the band like a punk version of your typical boy band.
But even with all the criticisms however; Enema of the State, the band, and the whole subculture as a whole, has had a lasting impact to a whole generation.
A regular fixture in their old music on Youtube is users commenting their memories, usually recollecting their age back then and now, and consecrating the 90s and the 00s and such.
The opener Dumpweed… What an opener; immediate electrifying guitar riffs, bombastic drums. The intro riff says it all, it’s welcoming despite its aggression.
Then, it’s Mark’s turn on Don’t Leave Me, with both songs about wanting to breakup. This is more frantic but Mark’s vocals keep it collected in a way, and also Tom’s charged palm muting hits the spot right before the chorus.
Aliens Exist sees Tom first confess his interest, and later obsession, with aliens. Travis’ drum solo before the chorus is the cherry on top.
Sometimes I forget how short the songs can be on here.
Going Away to College is probably my favorite deep cut on this record, it’s got a pretty compelling story, you won’t even notice that we’re in the chorus already, the instruments are dynamic and are maximized, Mark’s melodic hook is quite catchy.
Have I mentioned that the transitions are pretty smooth?
Rick Beato has a pretty good breakdown of what makes What’s My Age Again so great and catchy.
But for me, it’s the slow and melancholic riffs that leave space in your head, like it balances the chaotic chorus, and the lyrics just work, man.
What the hell is ADD?
My friends say I should act my age
What’s my age again?
What’s my age again?
Dysentery Gary is awesome, if you want the gist of the zeitgeist’s angst, go to this track right now, where Tom’s distinct way of singing words.
Some people may not realize the influence Tom’s singing had, especially Panic! at the Disco.
Adam’s Song is where the band starts to be more comfortable with being emotionally honest and introspective. We’ll start to see more of this later on their discography.
The contrast of the hopeful and introspective melody of this song to its lyrics contemplating suicide, that’s in contrast to most songs here that have melancholic melodies, atleast guitar riffs, but with rather juvenile lyrics.
The world was wide, too late to try
The tour was over, we’d survived
I couldn’t wait ’til I got home
To pass the time in my room alone
All the Small Things is very cheesy, but in a way, it’s also fun. Kind of weird to play seamlessly after Adam’s Song but nonetheless it’s the biggest song, what are you gonna do about it?
Fun Fact: The band only ever performed The Party Song once.
It’s because of how complicated the timing is in this track. The drums, the bass, the guitar, and the vocals must be in sync with some sort of triplet flow.
I appreciate Matt’s bass chord riff on Mutt, and also this is another great example of Tom’s excellent unique singing.
Wendy Clear reminds me of Dammit, maybe it’s the unwavering energy, about Mark feeling awkward talking to a girl.
And finally, Anthem is a solid closer with a repeating riff with a marching drum fill that ends the record with a big bang.
I don’t know what I prefer though, that or Anthem Part 2, from their next album.
The band released their follow-up, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket in 2001, an album more influenced by Post-Hardcore, though isn’t degrees removed from their typical pop punk.
Their untitled album, often just called Blink-182, saw the band divert into more emo territory, showing a more macabre side into their pop punk mix.
Fast forward to the 2010s when Tom Delonge left the group, recruited Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio, and has released 3 more albums, with most often a mature callback to their old pop punk days.
Now to get back to the question, Do people still like it when it turned 23?
Who am I kidding? Yes!
This is an extended version of my album review on my Instagram: The Left Ear with Lee. Be sure to follow me on Medium and on Instagram. Thanks!
