By Caren Spitler

Blink 182 invites you to come in, relax, and … Take off Your Pants and Jacket. They are back with that super spastic schoolboy charm. The guys of Blink 182 are off and running with the follow up to the multi-platinum Enema of the State. They haven't missed a beat, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket is just as fun and hooky as you would expect from this power punk trio. This record is a little more punk and slightly less power pop than the last. On Take off Your Pants and Jacket the band takes 13 swift blows to try to get you to dig their scene.

Blink is once again breaking hearts with the usual laments of problematic young love in 'Story of a Lonely Guy', 'Every time I look for You', and 'Give Me One Good Reason'. With tracks like 'Anthem Part Two', and 'Shut Up' they prove they are still in touch with the high school senior that lives inside. In 'Anthem Part Two' they deliver a blow below-the-belt to answers the age old question "what's wrong with kids today?" Lyrically they still have a firm grip on how it really feels to be disenfranchised youth, stating emphatically "If we're fucked up, you're to blame!"

The new album has some signature rapid punk-rock tempos, perfect to mosh to. They deliver what the Blink fans expect from them… over the top, in poor taste, and always fun. Some songs like 'Reckless Abandon' and 'The Rock Show' are true Blink. They also manage to take a few unexpected turns here and there. In the track 'Stay Together for the Kids', they explore a new sound. You wouldn't even know it was them unless you were told. That's not a bad thing, even Blink should be allowed to grow and expand their horizons. In all, Blink is making the music they are best at, and taking on a few challenges along the way. Not to mention some pretty nice guitar work on some of the songs. If you are a fan of the Blink sound they won't disappoint with this record, and may even surprise you.