Enema of the State

Enema of the State is the third studio album by American rock band Blink-182, released on June 1, 1999, by MCA Records. The trio formed in Southern California, gaining an early fanbase with their fast tempos, catchy hooks, and trademark irreverence. The band gained greater visibility after releasing their second album, Dude Ranch (1997), which featured the modern rock hit "Dammit". For its follow-up, the band recruited veteran producer Jerry Finn, who became a key creative partner and an important figure in defining their sound. It also marked their first recording with drummer Travis Barker, whose speed, precision, and versatility helped elevate their musicianship.

Recorded across their hometown of San Diego and Los Angeles over three months, Enema of the State introduced a cleaner, more melodic approach that contrasted with the band's rawer early work. Finn's glossy production emphasized tight arrangements, bright harmonies, and a polished pop sensibility that would become emblematic of mainstream pop-punk. Guitarist Tom DeLonge and bassist Mark Hoppus primarily culled stories from friends and autobiographical situations to craft summer-related tracks revolving around teenage breakups, suburban parties and maturity, as well as more offbeat subject matter such as UFO conspiracy theories. The cover art famously features adult film actress Janine Lindemulder in a nurse uniform; the title is a pun on the term enemy of the state.

Upon release, Enema of the State was a huge commercial hit, though some critics viewed the band's radio-friendly sound and goofy image conflicting, dismissing their act as a joke. With more than 15 million copies sold globally, the album helped cement the band's status as one of the biggest rock acts of the new millennium. "What's My Age Again?", "All the Small Things", and "Adam's Song" became hit singles and MTV staples, generating heavy airplay. Widely regarded as a defining pop-punk record, Enema of the State has had a lasting impact on the genre and beyond; it helped reinvent the sound for a new generation and inspired countless artists, tributes, and accolades.