Box Car Racer - Box Car Racer Review

Posted by Cody Webster on 09.27.2002

I still think Soap Box Derby would be the better band name.

Mark Hoppus drew the short straw, no side project band for him. You got Tom Delonge, vocals, and Travis Parker, drums, David Kennedy, guitar, and Anthony Celestino, bass. And boom you've got Box Car Racer. Its Blink 182 turn up the volume with more serious lyrics, AKA get rid of Mark.

I still think Blink is the better project for Tom and Travis, but this is fun for a few kicks. And now we should probably get into the action, and go song to song with comments and ratings (from 1 to 10). Also, I'll include a few quotes from the songs in wavy text (italics).

I Feel So: Piano to start, nice touch. Everything goes pretty good, then at 1:40 the song starts to get repetitive. Then most of the third minute is wasted with no one singing: Steppenwolf could get away with it because they were all stoned out of their minds, and who couldn't forgive those stoners? Anyway, their angry, I get it. 6

All Systems Go: Anti government at the start: The government is lying, The youth they won't believe them. How old are these guys again? Tom's voice is stifled throughout this rigorous romp of a song. Fight the power! All kidding a side their is some nice playing on the side. Still, this isn't really my thing. 4

Watch The World: A song about hope. The lyrics are nice in this one and the drumming doesn't drown out the music. I like this softer more toned down feel. 6

Tiny Voices: This is more Blinkish sounding. Having people talk in the back ground adds to the songs purpose.

tiny voices, make things harder
everybody will be let down
everybody will be let down

This is mainly drums combined with loud singing which comes off pretty good. 7

Cat Like Thief: Drums to start, and then the rest kicks in. We've got some guest singer along for this ride. Tom echoes this throughout most of the song: Don't leave
Don't leave her. The don't leave her part leaves a good impact as it fades out. 7

And I: Toe tapping start. Gotta keep the Blink 182 fans happy as this song has that design in mind. Tom went from screaming to whining in true Blink fashion. The most upbeat song so far. Chorus kicks in at the end to give a nice affect. 8

Letters To God: Acoustic guitar at the go. Trying to make a deal with GOD is the neat vibe I'm getting. After it being real quiet for a while a shock wave of noise blast my eardrums.

i won't lie
i won't sin
maybe i don't wanna go
can't you wait
maybe i don't wanna go

Really spine tingling stuff here, especially after they pull that volume full blast and it really sets in. It's always a good sign when a 3:00 minute song goes by in what seem like one minute. 8

My First Punk Song: This comes off as a knock on what I call the indy punk rock bands that haven't been signed to a label yet. Loud and fast. Really misplaced in this more serious album. Although I get a kick out of the end: there's one problem, i got brownies, from your mother, they gave me syphilis now i got no dick....fucker. At least that's what I think he said. 2

Sorrow: On and off beginning "i'm sorry please forgive me, believe me if you would" - Its said with enough zesto you forgive him, too bad he doesn't tell you what he did. I could see some oof playing this as loud as he can outside his ex's bed room. Really catchy. 8

There Is: Gentle start, whatever that means. A more vocal song if you will. It is really a sweet song about someone out there exactly like you, also known as the their is someone for everyone theory.

do you care if i don't know what to say
will you sleep tonight or will you think of me
will i shake this off pretend its all okay
that there someone out there who feels just like me
there is

A nice change of pace, with a very high replay value. 7

The End With You: Rapid drums to start. Conspiracy abound. Kind of spooky song.
Time has ran out and the world is dying, so the singer ask mercy from GOD. Kind of like the plea you hear in Blink's Take Off Your Pants And Jacket with the song "Anthem Part 2": Help me Jesus, we need guidance, we've been misled. It's just a great cry for help.

please god will you forgive us and give us one more try!

A great line for a good song. 8

Elevator: Mark Hoppus gets in on the action to duel voices with Tom. A neat little song.

Whoa-oa-oa
Below
Whoa-oa-oa
Below
Whoa-oa-oa

Is kind of catchy in an It's A Small World After All way. 6

Instrumental: Wind chimes are heard when the song isn't rockin'. I enjoy the chimes more due to the fact the rockin' is used in almost every song. A nice elegant way to go out. 5