Pennywise: Jim (vocals); Fletcher (guitar); Jason (bass); Byron (drums).

Recorded at Total Access Studios, Redondo Beach, California.

Pennywise: Jim (vocals); Fletcher (guitar); Jason (bass guitar); Byron (drums).

Recording information: Total Access, Redondo Beach, California (1995).

One of Pennywise's finest outings, 1995's ABOUT TIME features the California skate-punk band continuing its early/mid-'90s winning streak. While the previous record, UNKNOWN ROAD, found frontman Jim Lindberg rejoining the group after a brief departure, ABOUT TIME fully conveys the singer's renewed commitment to the ensemble with passionate performances on tracks such as the surging "Peaceful Day" and the urgent "Not Far Away," both of which showcase the act's fierce rhythmic attack and blistering guitar lines.

As always, Pennywise bears strong sonic resemblance to Bad Religion, but this works to charming effect, making the younger group an aspiring contender to the elder band's crown. Although Bad Religion and the Offspring had broken through to the mainstream by this time, Pennywise was seemingly unfazed by its former Epitaph label-mates' success, and soldiered on without signing to the majors. Sadly, this would be Pennywise's last record before the suicide of bassist Jason Thirsk, though the ensemble would admirably bounce back on '97's equally impressive FULL CIRCLE.

Melody Maker (8/12/95, p.34) - "...ABOUT TIME, their third album, burns with the sort of intense energy and frenzy that, cranked to the max on the straining hi-fi, will always kick ass, but it sees them honing their sound down to a far leaner, more no-fat assault....[their] best attempt yet at getting their simple, punk rock messages out to the world at large..."