This is a treasure to have, since it's fun to see what Blink sounded like earlier in their careers, but they should have postponed the recording session until Mark was feeling well, because his voice sounds really distorted. Had they waited a week until Mark's condition cleared up, this could have been a 5-star CD. Other than that, it's a great CD with classic songs (early versions of "Cheshire Cat" favorites) but they should have thrown in the 2 songs on the original demo tape: early versions of "Degenerate" and "Lemmings"... If you liked "Cheshire Cat" then you'll appreciate this. If you're a new fan (Enema of the State) you may be in for a huge surprise, as this sounds nothing like them. SO basically what I'm saying is this is more "Cheshire Cat" than "Dude Ranch" and "Enema..." You'll have to appreciate Tom's whiny, scratchy punk voice to appreciate this CD.... if not, you need not apply.

First off, do NOT call Buddha an album. It's not. It was a demo recorded to send out as a feeler for record companies. Their first album was Cheshire Cat.

Now, on to business...

This is where blink started some eight years ago. Granted, the reprise of Buddha is different - "Girl Next Door" and "Don't" were originally "Degenerate" and "Family Next Door" on the 24-track version. Ok, a word of warning - if you're a newer fan, you won't like this. This is PUNK blink-182, not pop-punk, Enema Of The State blink-182. The guitar is really raunchy and at times, the bass drowns out everything else save the drums. Tom sings off-key quite a bit. Mark was sick at the time, so his vocals are pretty much crap (well, on "Girl Next Door" he rocks). But it shows tremendous promise for the band that has already become a household name for pop-punk. Many of the tracks on Buddha appear on Cheshire Cat (their first album), and a few even came from the Flyswatter demo (which makes Buddha look like Enema by comparison in terms of production). Some of the songs are truly great - "Carousel" is widely regarded as their best song ever - and show that even when they were 18 years old, blink knew how to rock. The best songs are "Carousel", "Girl Next Door", and "21 Days" ("Girl Next Door" is actually a cover of a Screeching Weasels song). If you want to be a true blink fan, pick this up, but like I said before - if you're a new fan, I'd steer clear...

This is not what I'd call a "great album", but I'll give them credit, the band had just been formed six months before this was recorded. Blink 182 is my favorite band, and this CD is really entertaining to listen to. Sometimes, even though it's mean, I just sit there and laugh at it. Mark sounds like he is going to die on many of the songs, especially "TV" and "Strings", and I find that funny. Also, apparently this was recorded before Tom learned how to sing on-key. "21 Days" is a cute song, but most of it's off-key. That's okay though, I understand that Mark was sick and Tom didn't have much experience. My favorite song on the album is "Time". I really like the guitars. "The Girl Next Door" is also really good. Seven of the songs are also on Cheshire Cat, but it's fun to compare the two versions. I actually think that "Carousel" and "Sometimes" sound better on Buddha. If you're a big Blink fan and like Cheshire Cat, this CD is a must have. If not, stick with Enema and Dude Ranch.

(...)

Blink 182 is a trio that is looked down by many. Because of their immaturity, their sellout music. I, however, have grown to enjoy blink 182's music. Buddah was blink's first. It isn't an actual album, though. This was recorded on a tape back in 1993, and then converted to compact disc. although Mark and Tom sound younger and aren't in tune, this is an album showing off their musicianship. okay, so they aren't the best musicians, but, on this album they showed the world that they can play more than three chords.

1. carousel- Blink 182 first song. this is an incedible song. if you disagree with me, watch them perform it. the buddah version is better than the cheshire cat version. 10/10

2. TV- call me crazy, but i like this song. 8/10

3. strings- cool song. 9/10

4. Fentoozler- another cool song. 9/10

5. Time- filler. 4/10

6. romeo and rebecca- another song that shows off blink's musicianship. it has a pretty cool intro, and the song progresses with Tom singing slowly to faster. 8/10

7. 21 Days- filler 4/10

8. sometimes- cool song, shows that blink can actually play pretty fast. 7/10

9. Point of view- this one just doesn't do it for me 2/10

10. My Pet sally- okay 5/10

11. reebok commercial- okay 5/10

12. toast and bananas- cool song 7/10

13. Girl next door- really good song, i'm not sure if it is an original song or a cover, but it is great. 9/10

14. Don't- not too fond of this 8/10

so, listen up, everyone, this is an album showing blink in their early stage. if you REALLY want to hear blink's good earlier music, start off with cheshire cat. then, go ahead and get this one. i just think that blink got a bad rep because of the music they make, it being punk/pop. i think that they don't deserve it, groups like Good Charlotte,and Simple Plan deserve it. Blink has been around for a good while, and have good earlier songs.

(...)

this cd is not bad, but i don't reccomend buying it unless you are one of those people who must have everything by blink just because it is blink. the recording quality is bad, mark's voice sounds bad, and all the best songs on this are also on chesire cat, so just get that. plus they are recorded better.