For many of you out there who are not aware of the Rock band blink-182, they are a Punk-based band, typically associated with the subgenre of Skate Punk. Although blink-182 did not write songs purely about skateboarding, rollerblading, BMX riding, surfing or other so-called “extreme sports”, they did have a certain appeal to those who did such sports. Which is quite cool to those who participate or watch such things. This release, although technically not an official album release at the time (due to legal reasons) and was merely a set of demo recordings, paved the way for future successes by blink-182 and some of the tracks on this album were re-recorded for their following albums, namely Cheshire Cat and Dude Ranch, which followed respectively. In any case, this should be an interesting listening experience for those who are fans of both the Skate Punk movement and blink-182, so let’s jump back in time and take a listen to this album, and we shall hear how it sounds.

Carousel begins with some clean bass guitar riffing and some background hi-hats. Guitars enter, and this piece builds up in an exciting way. Soon enough, overdriven guitars enter and this emerges into a Hardcore Punk-styled piece that sounds fast, frenetic and glorious. Tom DeLonge sings this song, and his voice is very clear and distinctive as a singer. This is a great song, even with the raw, white noise-styled production of this piece. It certainly is enjoyable, and there are some youthful and socially aware lyrics present. Short and sweet, under three minutes in length. It is a fantastic start to this demo album. A great and punchy listening experience that is well worth hearing.

T.V. begins with a cool and melodic bass guitar riff, with subtle hi-hats. This speeds up and launches into a good piece of music with heavily overdriven guitars. Mark Hoppus sings this tune, and it is a literal punch in the face set to Pop/Rock Music. This is also very catchy for what it is. This is about the whimsical desire to watch TV. The la-la-la’s throughout this song are fantastic as well. Less than two minutes long, and fantastic to listen to.

Strings begins with some great drumming and subtle bass guitar riffing and launches into another white noise-led guitar piece that sounds fine and fantastic. Mark Hoppus sings in a clear and decent voice, and he hits all the vocal notes very well. This is a nonsensical tune, but it definitely has some musical magic to it. The lyrics are youthful, simple and awesome, and the music matches this statement in simplicity and energy. Towards the end is some good guitar playing and riffs. A dramatic and enjoyable tune from start to finish. It ends suddenly after just over two minutes in length.

Fentoozler begins with some midtempo guitar chords and drums, before speeding up nicely. This sounds really cool, youthful and energetic throughout. A really good listen, this music has more long-term enjoyment and is worth more repeat listens than one would originally think of. A really awesome and fine listen which is simple, melodic and a good listening experience throughout, this is passionate music for younger people that is short, sweet yet honest. Great to hear, regardless of whether you are a big fan of blink-182 or not.

Time begins with some low-end Fender Stratocaster parts and some hi-hats for good measure, before launching into an upbeat, fun and awesome tune to listen to. Overdrive eventually kicks in, and this song really gets going. This is a good song sung nicely by Mark Hoppus, and it is a youthful and energetic song that has quite a broad appeal. This sounds fresh and exciting, to this very day. The second half is sped-up glory and sounds very brilliant, and is a cool song about day-to-day social issues. Brilliant and wonderful to listen to, this is a fantastic example of early blink-182. Very good to listen to. The outro is awesome.

Romeo & Rebecca begins with some slow and souped-up heavy guitars, which sound really awesome. Eventually, this tune gets a tad more subtle and launches into a song about young love. This is a social commentary on such a scenario, and it quickly launches into a loud, punchy and furious tune that sounds fast, furious and awesome. A really cool example of music made by a bunch of young guys in relation to real-life circumstances. A good listen at two and a half minutes long. Very cool, and great to hear.

21 Days begins with some slow and morbid-sounding bass guitar riffs, hi-hats and some clean Fender Stratocaster guitar parts. It sounds very, very good to hear. Eventually, pounding drums and overdriven guitars enter and this tune comes alive. Tom DeLonge takes the vocals here, and the music is really fantastic to listen to. This is about young love, again, but sounds much more serious and melancholy than the other songs on this release. Nonetheless, this song is interesting and is about being rejected by a girl. The sounds and energy throughout in this song are decent and different, and blink-182 sounds like a band on a musical mission at this point. There is a breakdown in the second half of this song that sounds really great before this launches back into overdriven action. A good slice of Pop Punk goodness that goes on for around four minutes in total. A good listen regardless. Worth your ears.

Sometimes is a one-minute musical assault on the senses. It is a very Hardcore Punk styled tune that is awesome to listen to and enjoy. Another worthy addition to this release, and it is over before you know it. Great, however.

Point Of View begins with some overdriven guitar harmonics and launches into a short piece sung by Tom DeLonge that is very fast and powerful. This, again is barely over a minute long but is a very stylish listen from start to finish. Great to listen to, however. Another awesome song to enjoy.

My Pet Sally begins with some really awesome tom-tom drum work, bass guitar and a great sense of excitement about it, with white noise guitars following it. Tom DeLonge sings well here, and he delivers another great musical statement throughout. A short, sharp yet sweet listening experience, this is a nice and youthful supercharged tune for blink-182 fans to enjoy. Great and fantastic, once again.

Reebok Commercial begins with some great drum work and launches into a sensationally good tune that isn’t a corporate commercial, specifically speaking. The guitar work throughout this song is excellent, and this eventually enters into a loud and chaotic-sounding song. Eventually, the music slows down and goes into an unusual section of song that sounds really excellent. The sounds and playing on this super fast and stop/start song are really excellent and fun to listen to. A great listening experience throughout, the music here is worth listening to. The outro is very fast and different. Good tune.

Toast & Bananas begins with dirty guitars, Tom DeLonge singing along nicely and this tune emerges into a really impactful and energetic listening experience that sounds absolutely awesome. Again, this is ridiculously fast and powerful and is less than two and a half minutes in length. A fine and energetic piece from very early blink-182, this sounds nonsensical yet loveable musically. Another great song by the group, and something mind-blowingly wonderful. These guys obviously knew music very well, and they could play their instruments at both a slow pace and at lightning speed. Excellent.

The Girl Next Door begins with Grungy, dirty guitars that sound quite melodic. This eventually launches into a powerful and supercharged song sung by Mark Hoppus that is very different and melodic throughout. This is about the same old boring approach that a lady takes in her life on a day-to-day basis, not experiencing anything new or worthwhile. The music is powerful and energetic throughout, and this is a rather morbid listen lyrically, but it still sounds good enough to listen to. Regardless, a very good listen musically. Worth your ears.

Don’t is the final track on this album. It begins with some low-end riffing, and overdriven guitars and launches into another exciting and interesting piece of music. Mark Hoppus sings again about more relationship issues, and this music sounds really great. There is a nice guitar solo section to match, and this tune sounds like a wonderful and supercharged anthem throughout. A good conclusion to a release that seriously needs to be heard more often. Fine, fantastic and different throughout, this wraps up after nearly two and a half minutes with some intricate playing. Great.

Although this is merely a release that is barely observed in the history of music, it began the musical career of blink-182 and is a genuinely good reference point for them starting off. They already sound quite like they understood where they wanted to go musically, and the playing and variety of songs are excellent, even though this is not as polished as later efforts. Should you listen to this? Definitely give it a try if you love other blink-182 songs that came later on.

Very awesome.

8/10