The Best of Times (album)

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The Best of Times
Studio album by
Released1991
StudioStudio 55 (Los Angeles)
GenreHardcore punk
LabelRelativity[1]
ProducerJohn "Norwood" and Phillip "Fish" Fisher
Murphy's Law chronology
Back with a Bong
(1989)
The Best of Times
(1991)
Good for Now EP
(1991)

The Best of Times is an album by the New York City hardcore punk band Murphy's Law, released in 1991.[2][3]

Production[edit]

The album was produced by Fishbone's John "Norwood" and Phillip "Fish" Fisher.[4] "Ebony and Ivory" is a cover of the Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder song.[5]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Chicago Tribune[6]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[1]

The Washington Post opined that the "eclecticism does provide for more variegation than is common on hardcore punk albums, but the band is still most convincing on such high-speed, relatively unadorned rockers as Freaktown' and the title song."[7] The Chicago Tribune noted that "a hearty horn section punctuates and adds a wallop to the guitar assault."[6] The Deseret News noted the "muscular riff-rock approach."[8]

Track listing[edit]

  1. "Intro" - 1:05
  2. "The Best of Times" - 2:23
  3. "Big Spliff" - 2:27
  4. "Freaktown" - 2:37
  5. "Tight" - 2:10
  6. "Did You Play War?" - 1:59
  7. "Ebony and Ivory" - 3:01
  8. "Harder Than Who" - 2:12
  9. "Car Song" - 2:02
  10. "Beer Bath" - 2:06
  11. "Sock It to Me Santa" - 1:52
  12. "1%" - 2:30
  13. "Burnt Toast" - 1:57
  14. "Hemp for Victory" - 0:55

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 74.
  2. ^ "Murphy's Law Biography by John Bush". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  3. ^ Christman, Ed (Apr 6, 1996). "Everything's Going Right for Murphy's Law". Billboard. 108 (14): 18.
  4. ^ a b "The Best of Times Review by Paul Henderson". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  5. ^ Locey, Bill (9 Apr 1992). "Murphy's Law". Los Angeles Times. p. J12.
  6. ^ a b Rothschild, David (2 Apr 1992). "Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 7.
  7. ^ Jenkins, Mark (1 May 1992). "Murphy's Law: Mix Thrash, Ska". The Washington Post. p. N13.
  8. ^ Vice, Jeff (March 14, 1992). "Releases Show the Continuing Evolution of Punk Rock". Deseret News. p. A6.