The second regrouping of
Screeching Weasel comes across more as a bunch of studio musicians wanting to make a buck rather than a bunch of kids getting together for the sheer enjoyment of writing and recording anthems for the angst-filled generation. Not saying that
Screeching Weasel are a bunch of has-beens; it's just that
Ben Weasel and company give off that "screw the kids, where's our check" attitude.
Television City Dream is definitely a lot better than their last album,
Bark Like a Dog, but that's really not saying all that much. The songs are a lot faster and to the point, making it comparable to a more serious Boogadaboogadaboogada!, and there's even a tribute to
the Vindictives with their cover of "Pervert at Large." But aside from that,
Television City Dream falls under the "heard one
Screeching Weasel album, heard 'em all" category. [In 2010, Fat Wreck Chords reissued
Television City Dream with five bonus tracks.] ~ Mike DaRonco