Oingo Boingo Album: “Nothing to Fear”

I'm afraid so - and it's great fun. However, Elfman becomes slightly overexcited to tear down politics and religion, and it comes out just a little forced when you first listen. But I love it all, so, I don't think I really condone that last statement.

Track 1 "Grey Matter" is a great stepping stone from the first Boingo album "Only a Lad" and decidedly one of the best Boingo songs. And one of the most true to life. In fact, I would say I knew the person Danny Elfman wrote this about if she (or he) hadn't been born five or so years after it was released.

Track 3 "Private Life" is definitely one of the best of Boingo. Musically quite solid, and the style and sound feels very unique. Not to mention the fairly simple universality of the lyrics.

And Track 4 "Wild Sex (in the Working Class)" is possibly my favorite Boingo song. If you really pay attention to Elfman's lyrical style, you will realize that sex is not really the point, although in many of his other songs it is only as basic as that. It resonates with the familiarity of "Private Life" and yet maintains a distance for those who are too shallow to look deeper than the beat and the chorus.

And Track 7 "Nothing to Fear (but Fear Itself)" should be just pure entertainment anyone who likes Boingo. But it is one of Danny Elfman's proselyting songs, so humor him for being opinionated, please. Unless you agree... Then just enjoy it, I guess.

This album is 100% Oingo Boingo. And what can we say about Oingo Boingo?

The sound, is fresh even today.

The lyrics, are fresh even today.

The length - short and sweet. 40 minutes. Well-rounded.

The CD - not as good as the vinyl really, but who can jog with a turntable?

This is Boingo's album. Nothing but Boingo here. There are even Boingo-only instruments used on this album. Danny Elfman's band is totally nuts! BUY!

In my opinion, Danny Elfman ranks up there on my list of the greatest rock songwriters of all time. I'll even go as far as calling him a genius in many ways. This album, their second, is truly amazing. Packed with great songs such as "Grey Matter", "Private Life", "Nothing To Fear", "Whole Day Off", "Wild Sex" and my favorite Oingo Boingo song of all time "Reptiles and Samurai". Everytime I listen to this I vision a party. It's great party music and Oingo Boingo definitely ranks up there with the greatest party bands. This one will not disappoint you.

Overall, Oingo Boingo was very successful in there endeavor ofpushing the extremes and norms of the music industry. From Only a Ladto Boingo (their last new album), it is a steady rush of macabre, humorous and sometimes frightening energy. With this album they succeeded in outsoaring their previous albums, with one slight disappointment. The song "Insects" may have pushed too far. Despite its catchy beat and oozing anger, it grows thin by the middle. However, the flaw of this one song is quickly repaired with the rest of the album. "Islands" is a cleverly dark piece, while "Grey Matter" conveys a message in a very light tone. "Running on a Treadmill" and "Why'd We Come" are by far the best songs on the album. They are catchy and dare to be a little "wacky" at the same time. In addition "Why'd We Come" highlights a major theme that Oingo Boingo seemed to run with in their early days: the tension and fear surrounding the Cold War. The title song, "Nothing to Fear," even hints at FDR's famous line and the fear of the unknown. Overall, a must for any Boingo fan.

This is an excellent release by Oingo Boingo. The songs are catchy, well-crafted, and the songwriting is perfect. The songs are really creative and original. There is not one dumb love song on the entire CD. Danny Elfman is the only songwriter who could create something so cool and inventive as "Reptiles and Samarai." IT also has the big hit: "Private Life."