''My Degeneration'' is the fourth

studio album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...

by the

punk rock Punk rock (also known as simply punk) is a rock music genre that emerged in the mid-1970s. Rooted in 1950s rock and roll and 1960s garage rock, punk bands rejected the corporate nature of mainstream 1970s rock music. They typically produced sh ...

band

Flashlight Brown Flashlight Brown were a Canadian punk rock band, originally from Guelph. They were formed in 1995. At the time, they were just known as Flashlight. The band's most known lineup consisted of vocalist/guitarist Matt Hughes, bassist/vocalist Fil Bucc ...

, released on April 8, 2003, by

Hollywood Records Hollywood Records is an American record label owned by the Disney Music Group which focuses on pop, rock, alternative, hip hop and country genres, also specializing in recordings for a more mature audience not suitable for the flagship Wal ...

. This album is their first and only collaboration with producer

Rob Cavallo Robert Siers Cavallo (born March 21, 1963) is an American record producer, musician, and record executive. He is among the biggest-selling producers in alternative music, having contributed to albums that have sold over 130 million units worldwi ...

, with the album described as "a culmination of a 6 year career of living on the edge between a dream and despair."

Background

Flashlight Brown formed in 1996 out of boredom and frustration towards their college town of Guelph, and released three studio albums: '':flashlight.'' (1997), ''Running Season'' (1999), and ''Flashlight Brown'' (2001). Their sophomore album, ''Running Season'', caught the attention of

MuchMusic Much is a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel owned by BCE Inc. through its Bell Media subsidiary that airs programming aimed at teenagers and young adults. It is headquartered at 299 Queen Street West in what was o ...

, who interviewed the band throughout that year and the following year, and aired the music video for their song "Sonia Bianchi" in rotation. In 2000, the band released their first MP3 only release on their website titled ''A Freak'', which was downloaded over 5000 times. Midway through a summer 2002 tour, the band was contacted by producer

(

Green Day Green Day is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Rodeo, California, in 1987 by lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, with drummer Tré Cool joining in 1990. In 1994, their majo ...

Alanis Morissette Alanis Nadine Morissette ( ; born June 1, 1974) is a Canadian and American singer, songwriter, musician, and actress. Known for her emotive mezzo-soprano voice and confessional songwriting, she became a cultural phenomenon during the mid 199 ...

Goo Goo Dolls The Goo Goo Dolls are an American rock band based in Buffalo, New York, composed of lead vocalist and guitarist John Rzeznik, bassist and vocalist Robby Takac, as well as several rotating members since its formation in 1986. After starting ...

), a man who was admired by the band. The band were flat broke and sleeping in a parking lot when a date was confirmed for them to fly out to Los Angeles. After originally intending to record two songs with the band, Cavallo quickly fell in love with the band and their music, and decided to produce the full album and sign the band to Hollywood Records. The opening track, "Ready To Roll", received playtime on

MuchOnDemand ''MuchOnDemand'' (also called MOD) is an hour-long per broadcast viewer interactive television program aired on MuchMusic, Monday through Friday at 5pm ET. It was broadcast live from 299 Queen Street West in Toronto, Ontario. ''The Best of Mu ...

and Edge 102, was featured in a hockey ad for

Sportsnet Sportsnet is a Television in Canada, Canadian English-language Discretionary service, discretionary sports broadcasting, sports specialty channel owned by Rogers Sports & Media. It was established in 1998 as CTV Sportsnet, a joint venture betw ...

, and found its way onto the ''

Rugrats Go Wild ''Rugrats Go Wild'' is a 2003 American animated crossover adventure film based on the Nickelodeon animated television series ''Rugrats'' and ''The Wild Thornberrys''. It is the final installment of both the ''Rugrats'' and ''The Wild Thornberr ...

'' soundtrack.

Release and reception

The album dropped on April 8, 2003. It peaked at #60 on the Canadian alternative charts. The album received mixed to positive reviews. In a staff review, Punknews' Adam White said ""My Degeneration" has its flaws but manages to very respectably re-establish Flashlight Brown as a good pop-punk act that hasn't compromised making good, fun rock music in the name of marketability." AllMusic's Jonathan Widran said "It's fun, loud, total party music that will appeal to former nerds who make good with cool music -- and those who just enjoy well produced guitar-driven post-punk."

IGN ''IGN'' is an American video gaming and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa district and is headed by its former e ...

's Nick Madsen said "A hilarious, punk rock romp through everyday life from the perspective of four regular guys with a penchant for humorous detail and undeniable truth, My Degeneration is a great album that's held back a little by a few lame tracks and an all too consistent sound."

Track listing

Adapted from

Spotify Spotify (; ) is a List of companies of Sweden, Swedish Music streaming service, audio streaming and media service provider founded on 23 April 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. , it is one of the largest providers of music streaming services ...

Personnel

Flashlight Brown *Matt Hughes – vocals, rhythm guitar *Fil Bucchino – bass guitar, vocals, piano *Mike Conroy – lead guitar *Tim Thomson – drums Production *

– producer *

Chris Lord-Alge Chris Lord-Alge is an American mix engineer. He is the brother of both Tom Lord-Alge and Jeff Lord-Alge, both of whom are also audio engineers. Chris and Tom are known for their abundant use of dynamic range compression for molding mixes that ...

– mixing *Robert Vosgien – mastering *Greg Goldman – engineer *Doug McKean, Dan Chase, Dan Burns – Protools engineering *Cheryl Jenets – production coordinator *Garner Knutson - drum tech *Josh Ketchmark – guitar tech *Andy Rosenthal - design

References

{{Authority control 2003 albums Hollywood Records albums