This EP combines the songs from the two 7 inch records, "Cokie The Clown" & "My Orphan Year" and puts them on CD. I have an extensive 7 inch collection, but I still love the CD so I really appreciate that they put this out on both formats.
The Fat Circus is piling in the clown car and they managed to squeeze in 5 songs that didn't make it onto the last NOFX record "Coaster". Fortunately, these are quality songs and not just a few crappy b-sides that didn't make the cut...although, I guess that they didn't...
The title track kicks things off and its classic NOFX. They really understand the importance of coming out of the gates with a fast, catchy, high energy song. A highlight for me is how Melvin and Fatty trade off vocal duties on the verses.
Track two "Straight Outta Massachusetts" is probably the weakest of the five. It's just a quick, mid tempo little ditty thats got a mildly funny theme. Not great, not bad.
"Fermented and flailing" is a great pop punk song with a cool start/stop/start progression. It reminds me a little bit of some of the more up beat stuff on Punk In Drublic.
"Codependence Day": Fast and furious with palm muted verses that build to release in the bridges and choruses.
The EP ends on a somber note with the acoustic version of "My Orphan Year". A nicely done tribute to the passing of both of Fat Mike's parents. Mike does a nice job finger picking his guitar in a classical style.
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