Secret Weapon (album)

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Secret Weapon
MxPx - Secret Weapon cover.jpg
Studio album by
MxPx
ReleasedJuly 16, 2007
RecordedFebruary–March 2007
GenreSkate punk, punk rock[1][2][3]
Length49:54
LabelTooth & Nail
ProducerAaron Sprinkle
MxPx chronology
Let's Rock
(2006) 		Secret Weapon
(2007) 		The Ultimate Collection
(2008)
Singles from Secret Weapon
  1. "Secret Weapon"
    Released: 2007
  2. "You're on Fire"
    Released: August 21, 2007
  3. "Shut It Down"
    Released: 2007
  4. "Contention"
    Released: 2008

Secret Weapon is eighth studio album by punk rock band MxPx and is considered a "back to roots" album for the group.[1][2][3]

Secret Weapon is available in three different versions:

  • The standard version with 16 tracks
  • A double 12-inch vinyl version with special artwork
  • A special edition with a "Making of..." DVD, new artwork, and three extra tracks

Background[]

On November 7, 2006, it was announced the group had re-signed with Tooth & Nail Records.[4] In February 2007, the band revealed they were aiming to release an album through the label by mid-2007.[5]

Release[]

On May 2, 2007, Secret Weapon was announced for release. In the same announcement, the album's track listing was revealed, and the title track was made available for streaming.[6] In May and June, the band headlined the Tooth & Nail Tour with support from the Classic Crime, the Fold, Sullivan, Run Kid Run, Hawk Nelson and Project 86.[7] The album received much online publicity before its release, much due to MxPx's return to Tooth and Nail Records. A new song was released each Sunday night for several weeks before the release, in the order of: "Secret Weapon", "Shut It Down", "Drowning", "You're on Fire", then "Contention". On Sunday, July 8, 2007, the song "Angels" was accidentally leaked on the band's PureVolume page under the incorrect label of "Contention". The mistake was soon corrected, but fans were in turn given an extra taste of the new record.

Secret Weapon was made available for streaming on July 10,[8] before being released a week later through Tooth & Nail Records.[6] The group performed a week's worth of shows on the 2007 edition of Warped Tour between late July and early August.[9] "You're on Fire" was released to radio on August 21.[10] "Shut It Down"s music video received heavy play on the Gospel Music Channel's Rock Block. The band was originally scheduled to support Yellowcard in March and April 2008,[11] however, they had to pull out due to scheduling conflicts.[12] Instead, the band toured across the US with Chiodos in April.[13] In between dates on that tour the band performed a number of headlining shows, which ran into early May.[14] On September 5, a music video was released for "Contention".[15] In September and October, the band went on tour with Lagwagon, Only Crime and TAT.[16]

Reception[]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic4/5 stars[17]
AbsolutePunk87%[18]

The album debuted at No. 76 on the Billboard 200; it also went to No. 1 on the Billboard's Christian chart. In 2008, the album was nominated for a Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year at the 39th GMA Dove Awards.[19]

Track listing[]

All songs written by Mike Herrera.

No.TitleLength
1."Secret Weapon" (featuring Brian Baker of Bad Religion)2:06
2."Shut It Down" (featuring Tim Pagnotta of Sugarcult)2:59
3."Here's to the Life"2:57
4."Top of the Charts"2:33
5."Punk Rawk Celebrity"2:42
6."Contention"1:16
7."Angels"3:15
8."Drowning"3:50
9."Chop Shop"2:14
10."You're on Fire"3:18
11."Bass So Low"3:37
12."Sad Sad Song"2:44
13."Never Better Than Now"2:47
14."Biting the Bullet (Is Bad for Business)"3:18
15."Not Nothing"3:06
16."Tightly Wound / All About Nothing" (hidden track - featuring Benji Madden of Good Charlotte)6:29
Total length:49:54

Vinyl and special edition tracks[]

In addition to the 16 tracks included on all versions of the album, the special editions come with 3 additional tracks:

No.TitleLength
17."The Hoo-Ha Jangle"3:29
18."Madcap Scheme"2:10
19."Throw Your Body in the Air / All About Nothing" (hidden track)6:38

Personnel[]

  • Mike Herrera – lead vocals, bass
  • Tom Wisniewski – guitars, backing vocals
  • Yuri Ruley – drums

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Review: MXPX – Secret Weapon". Canyouseethesunset.com. 2007-08-09. Archived from the original on 2012-05-17. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Mxpx 'Secret Weapon' | Reviews". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "MxPx Secret Weapon : B | WEEKEND". Idsnews.com. 2008-02-20. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
  4. ^ "MxPx re-sign to Tooth & Nail, reissuing Let It Happen Nov. 21". Alternative Press. November 7, 2006. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  5. ^ "AP exclusive: MxPx officially back on Tooth & Nail, says guitarist". Alternative Press. February 6, 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "MxPx set title, release date, tracklisting for new album". Alternative Press. May 2, 2007. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  7. ^ "MxPx to lead Tooth & Nail Tour with Hawk Nelson, Project 86". Alternative Press. April 3, 2007. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  8. ^ "MXPX post new album stream". Alternative Press. July 10, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  9. ^ "MxPx to join Warped Tour from July 28-August 3". Alternative Press. July 13, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  10. ^ "AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly". AllAccess. August 14, 2007. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  11. ^ "Yellowcard plan digital live album, acoustic tour with MxPx". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. January 15, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  12. ^ "The Spill Canvas to replace MxPx on upcoming Yellowcard tour". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. January 24, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  13. ^ "Chiodos plan most confusing tour ever with MxPx, FFTL". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. February 19, 2008. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  14. ^ "MxPx post new dates amid Chiodos tour". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. February 26, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  15. ^ "MxPx's "Contention" video posted". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. September 5, 2008. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  16. ^ "Lagwagon to release new EP". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. June 5, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  17. ^ Allmusic review
  18. ^ Tate, Jason (June 8, 2007). "MxPx - Secret Weapon". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved January 8, 2017.[dead link]
  19. ^ Nominations Announced for 39th GMA Dove Awards on CBN.com (February 14, 2008)
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