:Underclass Hero

In his memoir, Walking Disaster, Whibley reveals that the album was quietly "ghost produced" by Rob Cavallo. Cavallo, best-known for his work with Green Day and My Chemical Romance, was under contract with Warner Bros. at the time and unable to work in a full capacity. He ended up advising Whibley weekly on his song progress, and suggested he utilize his engineer, Doug McKean, who ended up on the record.{{cite book | last=Whibley | first=Deryck | title=Walking Disaster | publisher=Simon and Schuster | publication-place=New York | date=2024-10-08 | isbn=978-1-6680-4501-5 | pages=161–167}}

The album was mainly recorded at Ocean Way Recording, at the tail-end of a period when record labels offered "extravagant" budgets. It was being recorded at the same time as The Best Damn Thing by Avril Lavigne, then Whibley's wife; it was tracked in an adjacent room. Whibley struggled with writer's block when making the album. He aimed to center songs on one theme, and attempted to write in a more unguarded, honest way. He developed an "expensive" habit of buying a new vintage guitar to aid in his development process. Despite this, he described the sessions as "carefree and fun," and easygoing considering most of the band had relocated to Los Angeles by that point.

In a video posted to his YouTube channel in February 2025, former drummer Steve Jocz listed Underclass Hero as his least favorite Sum 41 album that he has played on.{{cite web |last1=Jocz |first1=Steve |title=EVERY Sum 41 album (that I played on) RANKED!! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy9pspgwoT0 |website=YouTube |access-date=3 February 2025}} Whibley concurred in his memoir, describing the tunes as "forced, distracted, and although unintentional, some of the work was unoriginal and reminiscent of things I had written before."

Critics have consistently described Underclass Hero as a revival of Sum 41's previous pop punk style in All Killer No Filler (2001) as opposed to the heavy metal and punk rock sound found in Chuck (2004).{{cite web|url=http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/1021405/sum-41-underclass-hero|title=Sum 41 - Underclass Hero - Reviews - Killyourstereo.com|date=September 7, 2007|work=Killyourstereo.com|access-date=September 9, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/12898/Sum-41-Underclass-Hero/|title=Sum 41 - Underclass Hero (album review 4) - Sputnikmusic|access-date=September 9, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/review/sum-41-underclass-hero/|title=Sum 41|work=PopMatters|date=21 August 2007 |access-date=September 9, 2015}} However, the album differentiates itself from the band's early sound, through the incorporation of instruments such as acoustic guitars, pianos, organs and synthesizers, theatricality, emphasis on dark and political lyrics, dynamics and its disregard for metal influences, creating a sound more inline with the emo pop genre. Furthermore, songs such as "Ma Poubelle" combine this with elements of show tunes. PopMatters writer Ethan Stewart stated that "The way that Underclass Hero layers pianos, acoustic guitars, vocal harmonies, and ambient synthesizers easily makes it Sum 41’s prettiest-sounding record to date."{{cite web |last1=Stewart |first1=Ethan |title=RANKING THE SUM 41 ALBUMS: FROM POP-PUNK TO THRASH METAL |url=https://www.popmatters.com/ranking-the-sum-41-albums |website=PopMatters |access-date=17 May 2023}}

On April 16, 2007, Underclass Hero was announced for release. The next day, "March of the Dogs" was released as a promotional single.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1969|title=New Sum 41 album gets title, release date|work=Alternative Press|date=April 16, 2007|access-date=August 12, 2016}} On May 2, 2007, the title track was posted on the band's Myspace profile; the music video for it was posted online at the end of the month.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/23517/media-sum-41-underclass-hero|title=Sum 41: 'Underclass Hero'|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=May 2, 2007|access-date=February 14, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/23921/videos-sum-41-underclass-hero|title=Sum 41: 'Underclass Hero'|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=May 29, 2007|access-date=February 15, 2022}} The album's artwork was posted online on June 8, 2007.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/24069/sum-41-posts-art-for-underclass-hero|title=Sum 41 posts art for 'Underclass Hero'|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=June 8, 2007|access-date=February 15, 2022}} On July 9, 2007, "Walking Disaster" was posted on Myspace.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/24521/media-sum-41-walking-disaster|title=Sum 41: 'Walking Disaster'|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=July 9, 2007|access-date=May 30, 2022}} The album was made available for streaming on July 17, 2007 through MTV's website, and released through Island on July 24.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/24667/media-sum-41-underclass-hero|title=Sum 41: 'Underclass Hero'|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=July 17, 2007|access-date=May 30, 2022}} On the same day, the band performed the album in its entirety, which was subsequently posted on their website.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/24771/sum-41-performs-underclass-hero|title=Sum 41 performs 'Underclass Hero'|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=July 24, 2007|access-date=May 30, 2022}} In August, the band played two shows in Australia with Yellowcard and performed at a few dates on the Warped Tour, alongside a few US shows with Yellowcard, Monty Are I and Amber Pacific the following month.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1997|title=Throwdown added to Warped 07; Madina Lake drop off|work=Alternative Press|date=April 26, 2007|access-date=August 21, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/24627/tours-yellowcard-shiny-toy-guns-lovedrug-ozma|title=Yellowcard / Shiny Toy Guns / Lovedrug / Ozma|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=July 15, 2007|access-date=May 30, 2022}} On August 20, 2007, the music video for "Walking Disaster" premiered on MTV2's website.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/25165/videos-sum-41-walking-disaster|title=Sum 41: 'Walking Disaster'|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=August 20, 2007|access-date=May 30, 2022}} In September and October 2007, the band went on a tour of the US with Schoolyard Heroes, which included an appearance at the X96 Big Ass Show radio festival.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/25209/media-schoolyard-heroes-plastic-surgery-hall-of-fame|title=Schoolyard Heroes: 'Plastic Surgery Hall of Fame'|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=August 23, 2007|access-date=May 30, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/25863/social-distortion-continue-adding-more-dates|title=Social Distortion continue adding more dates|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=October 3, 2007|access-date=June 4, 2022}} In November 2007, the band announced that singer/rhythm guitarist Deryck Whibley was suffering from a herniated disc, resulting in all of the remaining shows of the year to be cancelled.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/26356/sum-41-calls-off-all-touring-for-2007|title=Sum 41 calls off all touring for 2007|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=November 5, 2007|access-date=June 5, 2022}} In February and March 2008, the band toured the UK, which was followed by a stint in Canada; both were supported by Die Mannequin and Social Code.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/27008/tours-sum-41-die-mannequin-social-code-canada-uk|title=Sum 41 / Die Mannequin / Social Code (Canada, UK)|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=December 19, 2007|access-date=June 6, 2022}} They toured Australia in April 2008 with Pennywise, the Vandals and Bowling for Soup.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/27359/tours-pennywise-sum-41-the-vandals-bowling-for-soup|title=Pennywise / Sum 41 / The Vandals / Bowling for Soup|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=January 18, 2008|access-date=June 7, 2022}}

{{Album ratings

| MC = 50/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/underclass-hero/sum-41 |title=Underclass Hero Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=2013-04-11}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1074163|pure_url=yes}}

| rev2 = The A.V. Club

| rev2score = B+{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/sum-41-underclass-hero-1798202826|title=Sum 41: Underclass Hero|website=The A.V. Club|last=Burgess|first=Aaron|date=July 24, 2007|access-date=April 21, 2025}}

| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev3Score = B{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/07/20/underclass-hero/ |title=Underclass Hero Review |last=Wood |first=Mikael |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=2007-07-20 |access-date=2012-03-13 |archive-date=2012-10-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017202225/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20047311,00.html |url-status=live }}

| rev4 = The Guardian

| rev4score = {{rating|1|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/jul/20/popandrock.shopping3|title=Sum 41, Underclass Hero|website=The Guardian|last=Rogers|first=Jude|date=20 July 2007|access-date=21 April 2025}}

| rev5 = NME

| rev5Score = 4/10{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/sum-41/8771|title=NME Reviews - Sum 41 - NME.COM|author=NME.COM|work=NME.COM|access-date=September 9, 2015}}

| rev6 = Now

| rev6score = {{rating|2|5}}{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017210443/http://nowtoronto.com/issues/2007-08-02/music_discs3.php|title=SUM 41 - Underclass Hero|website=Now|last=Davies|first=Evan|date=17 October 2007|access-date=21 April 2025}}

| rev7 = PopMatters

| rev7score = 4/10{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/sum-41-underclass-hero-2496219032.html|title=Sum 41: Underclass Hero|website=PopMatters|last=Blackie|first=Andrew|date=21 August 2007|access-date=21 April 2025}}

| rev8 = Rolling Stone

| rev8Score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/sum41/albums/album/15502568/review/15807523/underclass_hero |title=Sum 41:Underclass Hero : Music Reviews |last=Hoard |first=Christian |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=2007-08-23 |access-date=2012-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012104534/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/sum41/albums/album/15502568/review/15807523/underclass_hero |archive-date=2007-10-12 |url-status=dead}}

| noprose =

| rev9 = Spin

| rev9Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|last1=Peisner|first1=David|title=Once-hated pop punk craft disturbingly likable hooks|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mCQFHMhVuA8C&q=underclass+hero+%22emo%22&pg=PA138|access-date=2018-02-12|magazine=Spin|date=September 2007}}

| rev10 = Sputnikmusic

| rev10Score = 1/5{{cite web|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=19703 |title=Sum 41 - Underclass Hero (staff review) |website=Sputnikmusic |access-date=2011-11-16}}

}}

Underclass Hero received praise for its songwriting and lyrical content, but received criticism for its similarities to Green Day's American Idiot and My Chemical Romance's The Black Parade. On review aggregator website Metacritic, the album currently holds an average score of 50/100 based on 12 reviews, indicating “mixed or average reviews”.

The A.V. Club gave the album a positive review, calling it "the band's smartest and most mature sounding album yet." Billboard also reacted positively, saying that "its growth feels genuine and, unlike Sum 41's punk peers, its musical maturation doesn't come at the expense of that all-important snotty 'tude." On the other hand, BBC was less favorable, saying that it "has its merits", but calling it a "disappointing effort". The Guardian, in a 1 star review, called the album "Green Day without the range and the charm".[https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/jul/20/popandrock.shopping3 guardian]

Sputnikmusic gave the album a 1 out of 5, saying that it "tries its best to be profound and musically challenging, however its only success is found, without exception, in the tracks which drop the pretense entirely and return to the formula which made the group popular to begin with." IGN gave the album a 7 out of 10, drawing comparisons to Green Day regarding the album’s sound, but said that it’s “not a bad album”. Contactmusic.com said that the album was full of "mixed results".

In 2018, Rock Sound ranked the album at #78 in their list of the Best 100 Pop Punk Albums.{{Cite web |url=https://rocksound.tv/features/read/the-best-100-pop-punk-albums-80-61 |title=The Best 100 Pop-Punk Albums: 80-61 - Features - Rock Sound Magazine |access-date=2023-04-07 |archive-date=2019-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202042728/https://rocksound.tv/features/read/the-best-100-pop-punk-albums-80-61 |url-status=bot: unknown }}

In Canada, Underclass Hero debuted at number 1 on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling just over 9,000 copies in its first week.{{cite magazine|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/S/Sum_41/2007/08/01/4385468-ca.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120527004910/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/S/Sum_41/2007/08/01/4385468-ca.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=May 27, 2012|title=Sum 41's 'Hero' debuts at No. 1|magazine=Jam!|access-date=2011-04-04 }} In the United States, the album sold 44,601 copies in its first week and debuted at number 7 on the Billboard 200, making it their highest chart positioning to date in the U.S. As of April 2011, the album has sold 184,000 copies in the United States.{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ScqFpB4lJg4C&q=apparent&pg=RA7-PA20|title=Hairs Apparent|magazine=Billboard|first=Jason|last=Lipshutz|page=34|date=11 April 2011|access-date=29 December 2018}} As of 2013, it has sold over 1 million copies worldwide.

The album was led by the singles "Underclass Hero" and "Walking Disaster"; both achieving moderate radio success in 2007. The third single, "With Me", wasn't released as a single until 2008. Additionally, "March of the Dogs" was released as an album preview in April 2007 before its release, because the album "wouldn't be out until the summer".

The track "March of the Dogs" faced political backlash due to its radical opposition to then-United States President George W. Bush. This led to Whibley facing possible deportation in 2007 by a House of Representatives minority leader.{{cite web |title=Whibley Threatened With Deportation |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/sum-41/news/whibley-threatened-with-deportation_1038245 |website=World Entertainment News Network |date=22 July 2007 |publisher=Contactmusic.com |access-date=2 April 2020}} However, this ultimately never came to pass.

All songs written and composed by Deryck Whibley, except where noted.

{{tracklist

| headline = Standard edition

| total_length = 47:49

|title1 =Underclass Hero

|writer1 = {{hlist|Steve Jocz|Whibley}}

|length1 =3:14

|title2 =Walking Disaster

|length2 =4:46

|title3 =Speak of the Devil

|length3 =3:58

|title4 =Dear Father

|length4 =3:52

|title5 =Count Your Last Blessings

|length5 =3:03

|title6 =Ma Poubelle

|writer6 = {{hlist|Whibley|Jocz}}

|length6 =0:55

|title7 =March of the Dogs

|length7 =3:09

|title8 =The Jester

|length8 =2:48

|title9 =With Me

|length9 =4:51

|title10 =Pull the Curtain

|length10 =4:18

|title11 =King of Contradiction

|length11 =1:40

|title12 =Best of Me

|length12 =4:25

|title13 =Confusion and Frustration in Modern Times

|length13 =3:46

|title14 =So Long Goodbye

|length14 =3:01

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Hidden track {{nobold|(not available on all editions)}}

| total_length = 51:52

|title15 =Look at Me

|note15 = starts at 2:00

|length15 =4:03

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = iTunes bonus track

| total_length = 51:13

| title15 = Take a Look at Yourself

|length15 = 3:24

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = International bonus track

| total_length = 50:47

| title15 = No Apologies

| length15 = 2:58

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Japanese bonus track

| total_length = 53:13

| title16 = This Is Goodbye

| length16 = 2:26

}}

Sum 41

• Deryck Whibley – vocals, guitars, producer
• Jason "Cone" McCaslin – bass
• Steve "Stevo32" Jocz – drums

Additional musicians

• Jamie Muhoberac – keyboards
• Dan Chase – percussion
• Michael Railton – piano

Technical

• Doug McKean – engineer
• Keith Armstrong – assistant engineer
• Adam Fuller – assistant engineer
• Nathan Johns – assistant engineer
• Nik Karpen – assistant engineer
• Wesley Seidman – assistant engineer
• David Campbell – string arrangement
• Chris Lord-Alge – mixing
• Ted Jensen – mastering

Artwork

• Tara Podolsky – A&R
• Rob "Just Fine" Stevenson – A&R
• Jonathan Mannion – cover photo
• Patrick Hegarty – cover design
• Brian Lauzon – package design, photography
• Matt Taylor – package design, photography

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Sum 41|title=Underclass Hero|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2007|certyear=2008|access-date=July 5, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|artist=Sum 41|title=Underclass Hero|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2007|certyear=2007|certmonth=7|access-date=July 5, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjK2W6TkofG-n6mEem-yUiXvliecHPs0G Underclass Hero] at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)
• [https://www.mtv.com/#/news/articles/1546766/20061129/story.jhtml MTV News Interview]
• {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20070623032604/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Lowdown/2007/03/08/3715067-ca.html Jam interview]}}
• {{Metacritic album}}

{{Sum 41}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2007 albums

Category:Sum 41 albums

Category:Aquarius Records (Canada) albums

Category:Albums recorded at Sound City Studios