In the early 90s, House of Pain were like what trucker caps are today: a hip little fad that was cute for about a minute and then everybody started wishing they'd just go away. (ed's note: but they won't! And that's where the love/hate beauty of these guilty pleasures spring forth. Bars and white people love this thing as much as beer.) You can't fault Everlast for trying – he's switched careers more times than Arnold S., first as shiny suit member of the Rhyme Syndicate, then as Irish thug, then as born-again bluesman – and hey, "Jump Around," was one of the quintessential party tracks of the era, along with Kris Kross' "Jump" and Naughty By Nature's "Hip-Hop Hooray." But like those instant mega-hits, the routine became old pretty fast. Listening to it now, it's still a nice rocker thanks to Muggs' squealing beats, but it serves as more of nostalgia piece. 7" also includes the "House of Pain Anthem", another blunted Muggs production that's as stoned funky as "Jump Around" is frenetic.

• black 7" vinyl pressing
• side A: Jump Around
• side B: House Of Pain Anthem
• original release year: 1992
• music label: Tommy Boy 2023

reviewed by O-dub 02/2007