Secret Weapon (album)

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
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)		 On the Cover II
(2009)
Singles from Secret Weapon
  1. "You're on Fire"
    Released: August 21, 2007

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.

On July 5, 2007, a music video was released for "Secret Weapon".[8] Secret Weapon was made available for streaming on July 10,[9] 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.[10] "You're on Fire" was released to radio on August 21.[11] A music video was released for "Shut It Down" on November 19, 2007.[12] In January 2008, the band toured Japan and Indonesia, prior to a stint in Australia.[13] They was originally scheduled to support Yellowcard in March and April 2008,[14] however, they had to pull out due to scheduling conflicts.[15] Instead, the band toured across the US with Chiodos in April 2008 and appeared at the Bamboozle Left festival.[16][17] Following this, the band toured with the Colour Fred, until May 2008.[18] On September 5, a music video was released for "Contention".[19] In September and October 2008, the band went on a co-headlining US tour with Lagwagon; they were supported by Only Crime and TAT.[20]

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[21]
AbsolutePunk87%[22]

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.[23]

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. "Review: MXPX – Secret Weapon". Canyouseethesunset.com. 2007-08-09. Archived from the original on 2012-05-17. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
  2. "Mxpx 'Secret Weapon' | Reviews". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
  3. "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. "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. August, Justin (July 5, 2007). "MxPx - 'Secret Weapon'". Punknews.org. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  9. "MXPX post new album stream". Alternative Press. July 10, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  10. "MxPx to join Warped Tour from July 28-August 3". Alternative Press. July 13, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  11. "AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly". AllAccess. August 14, 2007. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  12. Paul, Aubin (November 19, 2007). "MxPx: 'Shut It Down'". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  13. Paul, Aubin (January 28, 2008). "MxPx cancel upcoming tour with Yellowcard". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  14. "Yellowcard plan digital live album, acoustic tour with MxPx". Alternative Press. January 15, 2008. Archived from the original on December 16, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  15. "The Spill Canvas to replace MxPx on upcoming Yellowcard tour". Alternative Press. January 24, 2008. Archived from the original on December 16, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  16. "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.
  17. "Blaqk Audio, Hot Water Music, H2O added to Bamboozle Left". Alternative Press. February 15, 2008. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  18. Paul, Aubin (March 14, 2008). "MxPx / Chiodos / Protest the Hero / The Color Fred". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  19. Paul, Aubin (September 5, 2008). "MxPx: 'Contention'". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  20. Paul, Aubin (May 20, 2008). "MxPx / Lagwagon / TAT / Only Crime". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  21. Allmusic review
  22. Tate, Jason (June 8, 2007). "MxPx - Secret Weapon". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  23. Nominations Announced for 39th GMA Dove Awards on CBN.com (February 14, 2008)
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