Generic Shame (EP)

Generic Shame is a rather lengthy three song EP described as “generic” by the band themselves. However, that is quite far from the truth based on listening to this EP nonstop since getting it from overseas. Recorded during the same sessions as their 2000 release, One, Generic Shame exceedingly proves that the last recording session for the band has by far become their most fruitful session to date. The sound quality of Generic Shame is phenomenal, the production giving the songs a very clear and thunderously heavy charge to them. The first two songs are long, drawn out epics as Nomeansno has been prone to write for the last few years. “Sex is Philosophy” is a basic, Rob Wright observation on pornography’s less glamorous social effects. The centerpiece of the EP is “No Big Surprise”, which is a very lengthy eleven minutes plus. This song can best be described as progessive punk blues and might remind some listeners a bit of “This Wound Will Never Heal” from One Down and Two to Go. Wright’s vocals are top notch here, giving his voice an incredibly powerful emotional charge that he hasn’t attained often. The final track is a ska-punk type number done in typical Nomeansno style. “I Get Up in the Morning” is the most energetic, fun number the band has written since perhaps “Everyday I Start to Ooze” from O+2=1. It’s interesting to hear what a band such as Nomeansno can do with a rather tired, worn out trendy sound.

For any fan of One, this EP becomes an absolute must have companion disc. Generic Shame adds on two more excellent epic tracks as well as a great, fun number to round out what has turned out to be one of the band’s best creative peaks since perhaps Wrong era.
-John Chedsey