Sum 41: Does This Look Infected?
Suicidal tension, check.
Generally apathetic tone, check.
Fair mention of personal insecurity and lack of identity, check.
Highly rebellious attitude, check.
Religious questionings, check.
Yeah, I'd say Sum 41 nailed pretty much every hallmark of a perfect punk rock album. I must say this hard hitting piece of work bleeds fuming hormonal teenager, but that's the beauty of "Does This Look Infected?" That's the beauty of punk rock in general.
The angry, incompetent lyrics may seems somewhat ridiculous; however, in some way we can all relate to the constant frustration of going through life. Here, Sum 41 has turned those easily relatable scenarios into a seductive group of lyrics. Blending fantastic harmonies (keeping in mind it is a punk band) with rhythmic choruses makes for a somewhat refined sound as compared to other punk bands. Of course, the odd screamo line adds a nice offset to such a comparably clean sound.
Musically, guitar work plays to absolute perfection with the lyrics. Though maintaining a generally hard edge, Sum 41 throws a monkey wrench into practical guitar work. Sudden stops, swings, and generally unexpected rifts season this album flawlessly. Drums, are adequate. They're no show stopper, but they are plenty suffice to carry the album.
In Sum...41, "Does This Look Infected?" is everything a good punk album should be: mildly nonsensical, angry, fuming, and generally rebellious. In my honest opinion, Sum 41 has every right to run with names like Three Days Grace, Rise Against, Green Day, and Blink-182.