How to Make Enemies and Irritate People
Screeching Weasel · 2005
28 min · 13 tracks · hardcore punk
A frenetic burst of punk energy, blending irreverent humor with sharp social commentary over rapid-fire instrumentals.
Top tracks — play these first
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Nobody Likes You — This track encapsulates the album's theme of alienation and social critique, combining catchy hooks with lyrics that resonate with feelings of disenfranchisement.
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I Hate Your Guts on Sunday — With its playful yet biting lyrics, this song exemplifies the band's signature blend of humor and aggression, making it a standout moment on the album.
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I Wrote Holden Caulfield — This track cleverly references literary themes while maintaining a punk edge, showcasing the band's ability to intertwine pop culture with their music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases energetic punk compositions with humorous lyrics but lacks depth for long-term engagement.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a rapid-fire tempo that maintains high energy through the first six tracks before introducing a slight dip in pace.
- Tracks feature concise song structures, often under three minutes, with verses and choruses that are straightforward and punchy.
- The lyrics blend humor and social commentary, often delivered in a sarcastic tone, which is consistent across multiple tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- quick bursts of energetic fun
- irreverent anthems for rebellious spirits
- for sing-along moments
- great for short, lively sessions
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, immersive tracks
- dislike frenetic pacing
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2005, How to Make Enemies and Irritate People is Screeching Weasel's first album after a lengthy hiatus following their breakup in 1999. This album marked a return to form for the band, showcasing their classic pop-punk sound while introducing fresh themes that resonated with both old fans and new listeners.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Queers· NOFX· Lagwagon
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Nobody Likes You
The bridge shifts abruptly from self-deprecation to an empowering defiance against societal rejection.
This transition not only underscores the thematic core of resilience but also highlights a structural choice that elevates the song's emotional impact.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Planet of the Apes 1:50
- 2 99 2:17
- 3 I Hate Your Guts on Sunday 1:39
- 4 Johnny R U Weird? 2:07
- 5 Time Bomb 1:15
- 6 Burnout Girl 2:20
- 7 If I Was You 2:04
- 8 Nobody Likes You 2:05
- 9 Degenerate 2:03
- 10 Surf Goddess 3:25
- 11 Kathy Isn't Right 1:25
- 12 Kathy's on the Roof 2:39
- 13 I Wrote Holden Caulfield 2:47
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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