What makes Buzz by Fifteen notable?

Buzz received positive reviews upon release, with particular praise for its lyrical content that tackled subjects like poverty and war. The band’s affiliation with the Food Not Bombs movement is highlighted through tracks like Food Not Bombs, cementing their influence on punk rock's activist culture during the '90s. Released in 1994, Buzz was Fifteen's third studio album, following their critically acclaimed sophomore effort, Swain's First. At this point, the band had solidified their position within the punk scene, using their music as a platform for activism and social justice issues. This album continued to build on their established sound while addressing pressing themes of inequality and disillusionment.

How many songs are on Buzz?

Buzz has 12 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

Buzz

Fifteen · 1994

35 min · 12 tracks · punk rock

A raw and relentless punk rock record fueled by social commentary and an urgent, energetic delivery.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Food Not Bombs — This track serves as a direct call to action against societal neglect of the impoverished, embodying the band's ethos of using music for advocacy.
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World Starvation — Opening the album with a critique on global hunger, this track sets a serious tone and showcases the band’s commitment to highlighting urgent social issues.
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Helter Smelter — This track combines catchy hooks with sharp lyrics, illustrating both frustration and resilience amidst chaos, making it a standout anthem in their catalog.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

Buzz delivers urgent punk energy with socially charged lyrics, though it lacks some cohesion in its pacing.

What we noticed

The first three tracks maintain a fast tempo with aggressive guitar riffs, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more reflective pace.
Lyrical themes of social issues are prominent, with several songs featuring direct commentary on poverty and war.
The album features a consistent use of raw vocal delivery that emphasizes urgency and emotional intensity throughout.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 World Starvation 3:06
2 Helter Smelter 2:48
3 No Tion 2:40
4 Situations 2:19
5 I Keep on Tryin' 2:36
6 Question 3:54
7 Violation 3:18
8 Fifteen 2:36
9 Food Not Bombs 2:24
10 Predisposition 3:44
11 Abel's Song 1:40
12 In Our World 4:06

What to play next

Listen next

Extra Medium Kick Ball Star (17)

1995

Go back to

The Choice of a New Generation

1993

Full Fifteen discography Artists like Fifteen

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata