One of the most crucial punk bands of the '90s, Chicago's
Screeching Weasel is also extremely inconsistent and way too prolific. Not a year passes by without a new
Screeching Weasel record. While occasionally they knock out a classic like
Bark Like a Dog or the
Punkhouse EP, more often they release quickly written, generic punk records like
Teen Punks in Heat, which is among their least appealing efforts. Singer
Ben Weasel delivers his trademark sneer and rants about girls who've dissed him and the punk scene in general, but it appears he didn't bother to write any original music for the record. The listener is clobbered over the head repeatedly by songs that are all attitude. "Pauline" is one of the few songs with a memorable melody and decent lyrics, while "You're the Enemy" takes the sentiments of
Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" a bit further, expressing downright hate for some of
Screeching Weasel's fans. The statement "this is for the kids" at the beginning of the song is funny, but the rest of the tune is indistinguishable from all the other lackluster numbers on this disappointing record.