Underclass Hero

by Sum 41

Overview

Sum 41 have always seemed like blink-182's baby brothers, right down to their nonsensical numbers in the name, so it's only appropriate that they're also attempting to grow up just like blink -- or better still, a bit like blink and a bit like Green Day, who have proven to be the standard-bearers for how latter-day punks can grow a social conscience and become mature, as evidenced by American Idiot. Sporting a similar-sounding but not as politically potent title in Underclass Hero, Sum 41's fifth studio album extends upon its predecessor Chuck's deliberate attempt at getting serious and relevant, giving the impression that they're telling a story, creating an anthem for the "underclass hero," the slacker who can't be labeled as an underachiever because he never attempts to achieve. The first couple songs here -- the fists-in-the-air wannabe anthem title track, the narcissistic self-loathing "Walking Disaster" -- hit as hard as processed pedal distortion can, but Sum 41 (now down to a trio after the departure of guitarist Dave Baksh) soon abandon any larger narrative as they start to stretch out with acoustic guitars, keyboards, and Queen harmonies uncannily reminiscent of My Chemical Romance's The Black Parade. Despite these flashy accoutrements, Sum 41 don't want to be emo, they don't want to be prog, they don't even aspire to the mock the U2 atmospherics of Angels and Airwaves; they want to be nothing more than predictable punk-pop. Like all Sum 41 albums, Underclass Hero is ingratiating and hooky enough to have momentum but not enough to linger in the memory. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	02/02/2024
Label:	Unidisc Records
UPC:	0060270063815
Rank:	30239

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Sum 41   Primary Artist
Playradioplay!   Primary Artist
Young Love   Primary Artist
Permanent ME   Primary Artist
Ludo   Primary Artist
The Schoolyard Heroes   Primary Artist
Innerpartysystem   Primary Artist
Monty Are I   Primary Artist
The Rocket Summer   Primary Artist
The Photo Atlas   Primary Artist
Cone   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Jamie Muhoberac   Keyboards
Daniel Chase   Percussion
Michael Railton   Piano
Deryck Whibley   Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards
Stevo   Percussion,Drums

Technical Credits

Doug McKean   Audio Engineer,Engineer
Deryck Whibley   Audio Production,Mixing,Composer,Producer,Group Member
Stevo   Group Member,Composer
Bryce Avary   Composer
Adam Fuller   Assistant
Rob "Just Fine" Stevenson   A&R
Chris Lord-Alge   Mixing
Thomas Lauderdale   Composer
Andrew Volpe   Composer
Cone   Group Member
Wesley Seidman   Assistant
Jared Piccone   Composer
Jesse Cronan   Composer
Patrick Nissley   Composer
Kris Barman   Composer
Nik Karpen   Assistant
David Campbell   String Arrangements
Tara Podolsky   A&R
Jonathan Mannion   Cover Photo
Steve Jocz   Composer
Matt Taylor   Photography,Package Design
Alan Andrews   Composer
Patrick Hegarty   Cover Design
Brian Lauzon   Photography,Package Design
Nathan Johns   Assistant
Bill Threlkeld III   Composer
Mike Fleischmann   Composer
Justin Morrell   Composer
Monty Are I   Composer
Brian Kapler   Composer
Joseph Guccione   Composer
Devon Shirley   Composer
Mark Hawkins   Composer
Eric Firsching   Composer
Ted Jensen   Mastering
China Forbes   Composer
Dan Keyes   Composer
Keith Armstrong   Assistant
Daniel Hunter   Composer