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

Additional personnel: Justin Thirsk (vocals, drums); Bro Hymn Choir (background vocals).

Recorded at Total Access Studios, Redondo Beach, California.

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

Personnel: Jason Thirsk (vocals); Ronnie King (piano); Byron (drums).

Audio Mixers: Eddie Ashworth; Darian Rundall; Milton Chan; Pennywise; Brett Gurewitz.

Recording information: Total Access Studios, Redondo Beach, CA.

On the first listen to Full Circle, it's hard to believe that Pennywise had a founding member commit suicide prior to the album's recording. The record is tough, heavy, hard, and fast, expanding the breakthroughs the group made with 1995's About Time. Listen a little more closely, and there's a newfound pain and pathos on the record that makes Full Circle Pennywise's most affecting album. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Pennywise plays the kind of four-on-the-floor, no-holds-barred Cal-punk that was pioneered by the likes of Black Flag and the Descendents and has come back into fashion in the wake of Green Day, Offspring, et al. As the four members of Pennywise demonstrate on FULL CIRCLE, however, these guys are no Johnny-Rotten-come-latelys. On their fifth album for punk standard-bearer Epitaph, the band displays the kind of raw energy and tireless inspiration that is the mark of every great punk band.

FULL CIRCLE is the band's first album without bassist Jason Thirsk, who died in 1996, and Thirsk's loss can be felt in the troubled, searching themes that run throughout the album. The album is dedicated to him. On "Did You Really," vocalist Jim (Pennywise doesn't go for that whole surname thing) asks "Did you really wanna die?," immediately adding, "Tell me I'm forgiven." Pennywise may take the weight of the world on its shoulders, but if FULL CIRCLE is any indication, this band is strong enough to keep its balance.

On the first listen of Full Circle, it's hard to believe that Pennywise had a founding member commit suicide prior to the album's recording. The record is tough, heavy, hard, and fast, expanding the breakthroughs the group made with 1995's About Time. Listen a little more closely, and there's a newfound pain and pathos on the record that makes Full Circle Pennywise's most affecting album. [This version of the album includes bonus material.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Rolling Stone (5/29/97, pp.48-49) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...A full-throttle metallic punk album that revolves around themes of mortality and rebellion....attacks with the ferocity and survival instinct of a wounded Doberman..."