The post BAD RELIGION/OFFSPRING/No FX popcore is not something I normally embrace, but “The End” gets some kudos for various reasons. For starters, the packaging is so elaborate (comes with a lyric booklet, DVD, poster, sticker and some really fine artwork on the the double digi package) that I figured the mafia may come after me if I don’t give the band a favorable review (there is a track here called “Godfather”). Second, there are some musical elements that set this apart. For one. These guys have a friggin’ clarinet player. Yes, you heard that right. The drummer has a giant drum kit and is not afraid to play all of his toms. That’s kind of cool in my book.

“Blind” kicks off this disc in a strong manner. “The War” is one of my favorite tunes here. It epitomizes the theme here. That of death and “The End”. Guitarist/singer/songwriter Peter Alexander Lust III appears to have doom and gloom on his mind 24/7. At least he did during the creation of this release. The difference here is that it does not come off as whiny woe-is-me emo. The lyrics are personal, political and social. “Do You” has a riff as solid as any. The aforementioned “The Godfather” (another war song) and “Where’s The World” mellow things out a bit. Closing title track “The End” never actually ends. Clocking in at 12 minutes, it’s by far the longest composition here. The time is put to use wisely and so ends “The End”. Pretty killer stuff. The only thing here that I kind have a problem with is that the “live” DVD is not really what I would call live. I believe it was recorded before bassist Will MacGregor (who is featured on roughly half the songs here) was added to the lineup. As I watched it I noticed there were not only basslines but second and third guitar parts added in (there is only one guitarist onstage). Sort of a minor quip. It is an added bonus so I guess we can let it slide.

- Herring

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