Old School 101

Item: Pura Vida
Author: Earl Campbell

Pura Vida

(2000)

Reviewed by Earl Campbell

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Label Victory RecordsBandoppler2000

hardcore punk

Old School 101 are not as pretentious as their band name might indicate. They actually are old school, having been in bands and the hardcore/punk scenes since 1985. Their music reflects their history quite accurately, and their message their age and experience. Basically we have a group of guys who 'grew up' and lost most of their adolescent chips, but still know how to rock and retain the raw and positive spirit of their adolescence. This perversely wizened youthfulness permeates the album, and makes for an unabashedly 'fun' album. What? Certainly punk anathema has just been committed! Well, idealistic social activism and being ate up [sic] are certainly important facets of punk rock, but let us not forget one of the main reasons we fight our battles: so that we can get people to lighten up, take care of each other, and allow individuals to be themselves. And this focus of punk rock is demonstrated efficiently by OS101, as they tear through ode after ode to their reality and desire to stay young and impudent and carefree. Kind of like MxPx's "Responsibility" made into an entire album, without being so insipid. Well, sometimes OS101 get pretty insipid, too. Oh well, more power to 'em for just being themselves. Pura Vida is tight, melodic yet gritty punk jams with surf sensibility and hardcore tendencies – all of the old school variety of course – and a whole lot of shrugging shoulders, rolling eyes, endearing harmonies, middle fingers, masculine hijinks, and uplifting nonsense.