Lagwagon Albums (8)
What The Critics Say
Written in the days following founding drummer Derrick Plourde's death, Resolve is Lagwagon embracing their skatepunk roots to honor a fallen friend. The music is the classic, fast-paced pop-punk Lagwagon is known for, but the band's usually lighthearted lyrics are replaced -- not surprisingly -- with a grief-stricken Joey Cape attempting to come to terms with Plourde's suicide. This album is his catharsis, and it runs the gamut of emotions felt in times of unexpected tragedy. From guitar-driven reflections on looking through belongings left behind ("Rager") to the pain in wondering what Derrick may have been thinking moments before ("Sad Astronaut"), this is an obviously dark record, but finds Lagwagon's playing just as tight as ever. Even the album's final love song is a tribute to Derrick ("But we may never have met if it weren't for him/Hey Derrick, maybe somehow you're listening"). Resolve is a great Lagwagon album musically, but with sentiments like "Goodbye old friend I won't speak of all that could have been," also a fitting tribute to Plourde by those who knew him best. And for the fans who only knew him through his breakneck drumbeats, it's a way for them to rock -- and say goodbye as well. ~ Corey Apar, All Music Guide
'Live in a Dive'
Release Date 2/8/2005
Tracks 22
Label Fat Wreck Chords
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
After an overlong layoff, Lagwagon finally get back on the road with Blaze, their first new album in five years. They announced their return with a roundup of rarities, Let's Talk About Leftovers in 2002, then set off on tour, which brought their long-suffering fans running to catch them at Warped. So, was it worth the wait? Of course. In fact, it's like they never left. As always, Lagwagon continue to examine their inner selves and their relationships, express occasional emotional turmoil, and explore the political as personal. Of the latter, "Dividers" is an anthem for our ripped and torn world, its clarion cry of "no dividers" a call to end the rifts by which the Bush Administration is sundering our planet. But the band is from an earlier era, one marked by the belief that changing the world must be preceded by changing oneself, and Blaze is fired mostly by interior battles, with Lagwagon's music fueling the revolution. Still, their musings will resonate with most listeners, whether the subjects involve railing sweetly at noise pollution; dancing away one's apathy; wrestling with conflicted emotions; or being pushed and pulled by the politicians, press, and ersatz patriotism assaulting from every direction. The lyrics are more nuanced than the ever, the themes and concepts even more thoughtful than in the past, and yet the music remains defiantly singalong. A very welcome return. ~ Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide
'Let's Talk About Feelings'
Release Date 11/24/1998
Tracks 12
Label Fat Wreck Chords
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Lagwagon's caffeinated combination of adrenaline, melody, and humor owes a lot to NOFX and for that matter, Descendents. Although the band doesn't add any new dimensions to the So-Cal punk tradition, they hold it up admirably with tight playing and sometimes heartfelt lyrics. Let's Talk About Feelings won't be a revelation to fans of the pop punk genre, but it may provide an enjoyable, if not essential, addition to their collections. ~ Andy Hinds, All Music Guide
'Double Plaidinum'
Release Date 8/12/1997
Tracks 12
Label Fat Wreck Chords
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Though Lagwagon have been performing the same brand of melodic punk that bands such as blink-182 have built their success on for years, an appreciation of their efforts seems lacking. The cover of Double Plaidinum seems to mock that anonymity, featuring a tongue-in-cheek, self-awarded plaid record for reaching "nearly satisfactory sales figures." All jokes aside, the album boasts another dozen solid tracks, each worthy of airplay though they may need the jump to a major label in order to have their material heard. Then again, mass appeal may not be their objective, as the band seems quite lively as it on cuts like "Making Friends" and "To All My Friends." An indie favorite with good reason. ~ Jeremy Ulrey, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
It seems that the maturity level of Lagwagon increased dramatically after the release of their second album, Trashed. On Hoss, there are no butchered covers, nor are there any half-hearted attempts to bring out the happier side of the rock & roll lifestyle. This is a good thing, though; Lagwagon have a "take no slack" mentality without coming across as macho tough guys. In other words, these guys want to be taken more seriously without falling into the category of being another Fat Wreck Chord clone band. They pull it off with Hoss, even if it still has that Lagwagon style of fast-paced pop-punk and harmonies. The drastic difference is that there's more of an edge to be found here. ~ Mike DaRonco, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Lagwagon has always been labeled as the stereotypical Fat Wreck Chords band. With a sound similar to that of NOFX and many other bands on that label (i.e., galloping pop-punk, harmonized vocals and a start-stop rhythm), these guys have been unfairly judged as another carbon copy California band -- but Lagwagon has a more mature, structured sound in comparison to a lot of the bands on the aforementioned label. With their second album, Trashed, it's pretty obvious that they've grown up lyrically as well. The opening track, "Island of Shame," deals with the isolation of having a disease in a narrow-minded small town. Along with some of the more serious songs on Trashed, there are an equal number of tunes that reflect a more playful side. For example, "Goin' South" talks about the frustrations of getting lost on the way to one of their shows: "We're heading south on the north bound/Our wheels might as well be square." Then there's their rendition of Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl," in which they butcher this classic in a way that makes it ten times more enjoyable. This album should appeal to the 15-year-old skater in all of us. ~ Mike DaRonco, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This could be easily described as just another NOFX clone band from California, but there's more to Lagwagon than just that. Lyrically and structurally, the songwriting has more of a mature edge; "Tragic Vision," for example, talks about today's children becoming addicted to drugs and dealing with handguns at an early age. But then there's also the lighter side that pokes fun at the band's addiction to coffee ("Mr. Coffee") and playing in front of an empty bar ("Beer Goggles"). Despite the effort that Lagwagon put into their music, Duh still comes across as redundant at times. It may not be the most groundbreaking album out there, but it is a hint of better things to come. ~ Mike DaRonco, All Music Guide
