NOFX's recent EP, Cokie the Clown, does not, at first, seem to be anything special. NOFX is a band that has proven to be stable if nothing else. They are certainly one of the more entertaining acts in the punk world, but they will never achieve musical greatness and seem to be just fine with that. 24 years after their first release, they are just as interested in playing the same type of music in the same way. The band has made it clear that they are happy to keep doing this for the rest of their careers, and their fans are just as happy with that decision. Cokie the Clown delivers on that same level for the first eight minutes of its eleven minute runtime.
Cokie the Clown is composed of tracks recorded during the sessions for Coaster, NOFX's last full length album. The first four tracks are typical NOFX offerings. Catchy, bouncy tunes that tend to find a happy medium between fun and seriousness. “Fermented and Flailing” perfectly epitomizes the emotion that NOFX infuses most of their songs with: that of having one final party as the ship sinks.
The final track is something different. An acoustic version of “My Orphan Year”, a track which appeared on Coaster. “My Orphan Year” is already one of the most touching songs NOFX has recorded. But the deeply personal feeling of the acoustic version makes it one of the finest tracks ever released by the band.
The song is about Fat Mike (vocalist/bassist) and his reaction to the deaths of his parents. It is personal stuff for anyone, but for a band that is unable to release an album that does not contain at least one track about lesbians and three or four about getting drunk, it is exceptional. Without a doubt, the significance of this song will pass over the heads of many of NOFX's fans, but it could easily cause just as many to stop and shed a tear or two for the palpable emotion in Fat Mike's voice.
It is that acoustic track which finally allows NOFX to show some potential beyond what they have always been. It has been difficult to sustain any real level of frustration with them, as they are so very fun and entertaining. Yet it was many years ago that any sense of anticipation about their albums faded, as we could just listen to the previous release and know what was coming. This glimpse into something that has been previously unseen makes Cokie the Clown the most interesting, if not best, release NOFX has ever given us.
Track List:
1. Cokie the Clown (2:27)
2. Straight Outta Massachusettes (1:17)
3. Fermented and Flailing (2:40)
4. Codependence Day (1:29)
5. My Orphan Year (Acoustic) (2:58)
