The Presidents of the United States of America

This was a huge hit in the 90s, and that was never really a surprise. After the relentless weight of the grunge era, something this light was probably exactly what alternative rock needed at that point.

Listening back now, it's not the best music, and some of the lyrics are fun for about two listens before the joke wears thin. But a handful of songs still stand tall. Kitty remains genuinely great, I remember doing the meow meow along with tens of thousands of people at Pinkpop 1996 during that song, and it was a lot of fun. PUSA was at the top of their game. Peaches, Dune Buggy, and Lump all still hold up as fun listens too.

Great? No, not even back then. But it was a breath of fresh air in the musical landscape at the time, and it's still a genuinely fun rock album today. Something you need to hear before you die? Nah. But it earned its place in the story of that era, and that's probably exactly why it's still fun now.

Peaches and Lump took the world by storm. I am really enjoying their punky garage sound. We Are Not Going To Make It is funny. Back Porch also is cool. very fun!

Yllättävän paljon tykkäsin, vaikka onkin taas uus rock-levy. Mukavan velmu.

I can see the appeal of this album, it's silly and has a childlike charm to it, however I found it mostly irritating. They're obviously inspired by other "geek rock" acts, like They Might Be Giants but unlike them I don't find the musicianship to be particularly noteworthy, it's standard alt rock/power pop, and consequently it lives and dies by it's lyrics, i.e. inane humour. I'm sure it's great if you like that kind of lyricism, but I mostly found it annoying. The best song in here was a cover of MC5's Kick Out the Jams which cemented my beliefs.

Should it be on the list: No

Top 3 songs: Lump, Dune Buggy, Kick Out the Jams

One of the first albums I ever owned, alongside Reef's "Replenish", which somehow sits nicely with this as albums that sound like they were made in LA by bands who aren't from LA.
I remember liking this, then hating it because the NME gave them a shitty review. With the benefit of hindsight, I can see why people hated them (they're a goofy and silly take on grunge) and why people liked them (they're a goofy and silly take on grunge).

Silly, fun, nonsensical (in a good way), and just a wee bit one-paced

Is it possible that this album could be underrated at this point? Just a great collection of innovative and fun songs. By no means are POTUSOA the most talented musicians (if I remember they may only even use 3 strings on the guitar! and fewer on bass!) but they make it up with pure attitude. Great addition to the list! 4.5/5

for what it is, i really like it

Extremely quirked up, but not aiming for a TMBG-style nerd audience. This one was extremely popular with the class clowns & stoner types at my midwestern high school. It's pretty alright, manages not to wear out its welcome, which is impressive.

April 10, 2026

HL: "Lump", "Boll Weevil", "Peaches", "We're Not Going To Make It", "Wake Up" (bonus track)

I'm not a smart man, but I know what a classic is: the song "Peaches"

rest of the album is hit or miss, but still enjoyable.

He's Gump! He's Gump! He's Gump! Is he inbred?

Was familiar with the peaches song but not the rest of the album, I did find this album a good bit of 90’s teenage alt rock fun. A bit corny at times but still good fun.

Some time ago, in the official 1001 list, I gave a 5-star rating to a band/album named "The United States Of America". When this album started, I was really afraid to give another 5 stars, and now I'm giving it to the President.

It'd be a shame to me to praise a country like that so much 🙃, especially in 2026.

Happily (?), this one was a good album, but it ends up not being a bit repetitive and derivative to my ears.

This album has all of the Presidents of the United States of America's hits on it.... Lump, Peaches, Kitty, Boll Weevil, Dune Buggy...... Alt rock that doesn't take itself seriously at all. Kinda similar to the quirkiness of Primus. I think my first exposure to Presidents of the USA was through Weird Al's parody of Lump (his song was called Gump.... It was on his album Bad Hair Day).

Favourite songs: Lump, Peaches, Feather Pluckn, Dune Buggy, Kick Out the Jams, Back Porch, Naked and Famous, Boll Weevil, Kitty, Candy, Confusion, Candy Cigarette, Carolyn's Booty

Least favourite songs: Wake Up, Stranger

5/5