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Each of the songs takes the point of view of a lonely kid who has reached the edge of adulthood, only to find that things aren't all they were cracked up to be. It may be a kid who can't find or who has lost a girlfriend ("Addicted" or "Meet You There"), or who has entered the working world and feels the loss of childhood ("The Worst Day Ever")or whose parental relationships have frayed in bitterness ("Perfect" or "One Day"). But each kid is alone, without anyone to share his hurt, and without much ability to put his hurt into perspective, therefore such titles as "The Worst Day Ever" and "God Must Hate Me" (decried in some reviews) do sum up what the person is feeling--and what we sometimes feel in our hearts, however grown up we may happen to be.

Contains two bonus tracks from the earlier version of the CD, which are songs much more juvenile than the others, "One By One", and "Grow Up" (the character doesn't wanna).

Each song uses simple, often powerful language, to express the depression and angst. Yet, on balance, we feel that the characters are going to get past this. There is no sense that the kids are going to spiral downwards with drugs, crime, or other self-destructive behavior. The lonely kid will eventually find his girl, the kid bitter at his relationship with his parents will eventually find an adult relationship with them.

Perhaps the most powerful song, though, interestingly, the fourth released as a single, is "Perfect", the song of a kid addressing his dad (most likely in his mind), and grieving over the formerly good relationship they had which has turned sour. The words are alternately bitter, sad, and hurtful, until at last the kid comes to terms with the fact that the relationship is gone, and all he can do is go on with his life despite his dad's disapproval of the way he's living it. It is powerful stuff, and perhaps a broader age range can relate to this particular song.

Simple Plan has struck a chord with this CD. I suspect, though, that there is a limit to how far they can delve into teen angst with any degree of success. I await their second album (Spring 2004) with interest.


No gimmicks, just Simple Plan   August 4, 2002
 16 out of 19 found this review helpful

Hey everyone. I got this CD about 2 and a half weeks ago. I've spun it about 55 times. I haven't gotten tired of it and I doubt I will. This is a disc that you won't want to stop listening to. There's a flow to it where the song before and after the one you're listening to relates to it somehow. I think it's great! These guys are polished musicians and the vocals are awesome. The sound is crisp but still has a live feel to it, which you need in any CD that you wanna rock out to. This album features guest appearances from members of Blink-182 and Good Charlotte. The songs tackle the areas of teen heartbreak, friendship, girl-chasing, hopelessness and just plain old teen angst. Oh.. not to mention the goofball song My Alien. My favorite tracks are the last 3, "I Won't Be There", "One Day", and "Perfect", Perfect being #1 on my list. They're songs about unsupportive parents who are unsupportive of their kid's creativity, aspirations, and free-thought. I can personally relate to them. So this is a record that reflects the everyday lives of all youth. It's an awesome CD, so pick it up either here, or at your local CD retailer. Peace Out!


Simple Plan: A Voice to Relate To   June 17, 2002
 15 out of 16 found this review helpful

Simple Plan is a wonderful new band straight out of Canada (yes, that's right folks, blame Canada). Powered by teen-angst lyrics, a great melody and 5 good-looking guys, what's not to love? In songs like "I'm Just a Kid", their first single off of their debut album "No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls", the lead singer, Pierre Bouvier, sings about life as a kid whose not apart of the "in-crowd". He makes the listener feel as if "Hey, so maybe I'm not the ONLY un-popular person in the world"; he relates to the listener. In more heart-felt songs, like "Perfect", he sings about the pressures that parents can sometimes place on a child. With appearences by Joel from Good Charlotte and Mark Hoppus of Blink182, this cd will probably the best thing you bought for anyone, including yourself. So, if you'e feeling sorry for yourself, or you want to listen to an up-beat song with entertaining lyrics...go buy Simple Plan's new cd.


overly poppy, cliched, unintelligent, yet GREAT!!   March 16, 2004
 14 out of 21 found this review helpful

i have been a punk fan for the vast majority of my 19 years. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY EVERY1 FUSSES ABOUT A BAND NOT BEING "REAL PUNK".

If you think about it, who really cares? Simple Plan is not claiming they are the most angst-ridden hardcore punk band in a generatrion.

What they DO CLAIM is that they make enjoyable, upbeat rock/pop music for the masses. If you like this music for the masses, listen up, if you don't, please don't slam it for something it doesn't even claim.

I love listening to this band and I love listening to my hardly known underground punk bands....It's all the same, if a band has a message...which most don't...then listen to the message and decide if you want them. If a band is only there to get you to dance and smile....BY ALL MEANS, DANCE AND SMILE!!!!!


GARBAGE   January 5, 2004
 13 out of 38 found this review helpful

Often in the music business, bands or musicians form for no apparent reason, they are pointless, unoriginal, unexceptional, and they certainly DO NOT further music at all. Clay Aiken is one of these musicians, Avril Lavigne is one of these musicians, and Simple Plan is DEFINATELY one of these bands.

I listen to the music, I watch the videos, and I sit there thinking "why?" why on earth does this band exist? what makes these people think they can sing or play instruments???? the lead singer's voice is ATROCIOUS. There is NOTHING special or original about him or his bandmates. These guys are not punk, they are jockstraps with instruments.

Songwriting is also quite redundant. These fools do not tell me anything that I do not already know. Therefore, I see NO point in listening to them. I do hope you see them in the same way. Let us hope someone socks the lead singer jockstrap in his pretty face (the only reason girls like the band in the first place) and thus the band will serve no purpose anymore, and break up. We don't need them. Music needs originality. Listen to AFI.