As Flaming Wrekage’s brutal fourth album tickles your earholes, you know this is something special. …
7
Punk Rock Legend
Of course, wearing the most famous last name in punk rock history is going to carry high expectations.
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It could be a strenuous endeavour to maintain but hell, CJ Ramone is doing the name well with the upcoming release of his fifth solo record, The Holy Spell… which will be out this Friday (May 10) via Fat Wreck Chords.
Beginning with an electrifying opener, One High One Low charges into the album with riveting guitar licks and a rhythm section that chimes like the bells on Santa’s sleigh through amplified choruses and romanticised verses. Crawling from the Wreckage ignites a classic rock n roll essence through riffs that are a little too tech to be three-chord punk and calculated beats that take the rhythm section to new heights.
Through riffs that are a little too tech to be three-chord punk and calculated beats that take the rhythm section to new heights.
I’m Disappointed is one of the songs more reminiscent of that classic Ramones sound, and that’s primarily because it’s the shortest track from the record. While still encapsulating the Ramones signature of punchy verses and hammering choruses, CJ has progressed it humorously through self-deprecating lyrics such as “I’m disappointed that I’m becoming what I most despise but I’ll take my anger and my frustration with a Coke and a side of fries. Got up and headed down to NASA, thought that I would make a good recruit but my maths skills are subpar and I’m too fat for a space suit.”
An encouraging anthem can be found within Stand Up, with its inspiring message being imprinted on the forefront of your mind with every kick on the bass drum.
Closing with an initially acoustic tribute, Rock On sings an ode to the late Steve Soto through heartfelt lyrics that were carefully distributed between the introductory guitar strums and the triumphant upheaval of the first chorus; “When we were ready to rock, you were always ready to roll.”
STANDOUT TRACKS: One High One Low, Stand Up, Blue Skies
STICK THIS NEXT TO: Ramones, Social Distortion, Lagwagon
