Simple Plan a copycat band, but with talent and message
A new cookie-cutter band rises featuring familiar material but they may have the talent needed to spread their wings and soar.
By Sarah McClellan
Photo Editor

“No Pads, No Helmets ... Just Balls,” the debut album released by Simple Plan earlier this year, is a pop-ish collection of teen anthems that closely resemble those of blink-182 and Sum*41, which is no surprise since they have toured with both bands.

Simple Plan, which has been featured in teen magazines such as YM and Seventeen (both geared towards female adolescents), is described in its press release as “punk pranksters,” which comes to mind when thinking about any group in this genre.

The lyrics, like their image, are not very original. Most of the lyrics are either playful or defiant, with the occasional “serious teen issue” thrown in the mix. They even matched the somber tone of blink-182’s “Stay Together for the Kids” from their 2001 release, “Take Off Your Pants and Jacket,” with the last track on their album, “Perfect,” which is about the pain inflicted on a teen by a parent’s neglect.

The only real difference between the mood of “No Pads, No Helmets ... Just Balls,” and any blink-182 album is that it is more directly aimed at adolescents (specifically, the TRL audience), with songs such as “One Day,” (about someday being old enough to “do what I want to”), and “I’m Just a Kid.”

The band isn’t bad, though. Regardless of the similarities between Simple Plan and its predecessors, the group’s talent will overshadow the lack of originality and hopefully lead to a new, creative take for their next album. The music and vocals in this album are well done, and the group has support from blink-182’s Mark Hoppus, who sings backing vocals on the album’s opening track, “I’ll Do Anything.”

One of the creative highlights of the album, “My Alien,” is fresh sounding and shows promise for the group’s potential. Another song that gives this album hope is, “God Must Hate Me.” It’s funny and most people between the ages of 15 and 22 can relate to it.

Despite it’s shortcomings, the album is catchy and fun to listen to. Simple Plan has what it takes to make it, but with the way it’s being marketed it will be difficult to shrug off the inevitable copycat stigma.