Misfits
The Devil’s Rain
(Misfit Records)
You know what beats a Homecoming? A Send off.
And that’s exactly what I plan on doing, sending off 2011 off into the past and far away from me.
Can I do that with 2010 as well? Why the hell not. Both years are in the past…and both sucked. Oh, don’t get me wrong, there were high points in both years, but for the most part—forgettable.
Things to remember include getting swept away to Hawaii by a lovely British bird, the Winter X-Games in Colorado, and traipsing through France and getting reacquainted with the before mentioned British bird. Not to mention, some really killer music.
Things to forget include furloughs, deaths, girls who lie, girls who take way too many pills, friends who backstab, food that sucks, people who don’t stick to their word. Not to mention some really crappy music.
But all is well. Here in a few days, 2011 will be gone like a big piss, and I will be back 2012 with every fiber of my rebuilt, refurbished self. Okay, Okay. So I’m getting a head start on the New Year Resolutions—but that can be a good thing!
Sometimes we have to hold on to some things from the past to motivate us into new things. The trick is to hold on to the good parts and left the bad just flush away. It’s something to remember in decisions in life and in music as well. Hell, when it comes to music, the vets are really killing the newbies when it comes to cranking out good tunes these days…and some still wear makeup…and leather….and skulls…
Change.
That has been a word used over and over and over the past few years. Apply it to what category you wish. The funny thing about “change” is that everybody wants it, and when it happens, they aren’t happy.
Why just limit that to politics of government or just the politics of the day to day work environment?
Why is it okay for Pearl Jam to change their music almost on every release? Why is it okay for Dream Theatre to write these epic long songs as opposed to how they started? Why does that damn Lady GaGa have to have so many odd looks? Isn’t that why we have Marilyn Manson….who also has changed up his sound as well.
2011 and enter The Misfits.
The Devil’s Rain is the Misfits’ first full length recording of new material in nearly a decade. Jerry Only is the…only…original member left in the band. And guess what? Everyone’s a critic—it’s horrendous, absurd, embarrassing…and its music created by guys that are almost senior citizens.
Kiss my ass.
Matter of fact, start a line and do it…I’m waiting.
The fact is, people want new Misfits material. Well, you have it. It’s really time to roll over and wipe your tears because in case you didn’t already figure it out, neither Glen Danzig nor Michale Graves is returning to front this band. Marks 1 and 2 of Misfits have long been gone and in that time, others like Only have struggled thick and thin to keep the moniker and music alive not only for themselves, but for the fans that have been around for more years than some have you have even been alive.
Bassist and now front man Jerry Only, along with ex Black Flag member Dez Cadena on guitars and new drummer in resident Eric Arse begin the new era of the legendary punk band and put their brand on it. It is not he classic Danzig sound that brought the band into popularity nor is it the more heavily rocky energy that Graves delivered in their rebirth. Their sound still has the 50’s Horror B Movie themes and sci-fi scares with the punkabilly feel to it, and others more rough edged. The guitars and beats are solid and blend well Only’s 50’s rockin and roll crooning. Their new, updated sound reminds me much of Volbeat, one of the few current bands that know how to make music. My only complaint is that the Misfit music is very well produced and polished shiny clean instead of that rough edge and manic energy that once hailed as king.
The album opens with the thunderstorm sound effects of the heavy title track, which is also the name of a 60’s B-Horror movie with William Shatner.The music is solid as all get-out and gets your head a-banging! Monkey’s Paw is a track I really enjoy, I guess because of the time of year. It reminds me of a Zombie Christmas tune with the hint of style heard from their Project 1955 release. I do enjoy the mellow and jazz meets rockabilly feel that sways from Where Do They Go? and thought it was genius to bring in the female backing vocals on it as well—damn them for thinking outside the box!
Overall, is The Devil’s Rain as classic and groundbreaking as Walk Among Us, or as hardcore and energetic as American Psycho? No, I’m not going to lie. I also don’t want to live every moment in the past. It’s like Houston
And I should mention, this CD is one helluva thing to listen to for your morning workout. At first, I don’t think the neighbors appreciated me cranking it up and playing it at 12:36 in the middle of the night, but hey, I needed something to wake me up and get me motivated. After the first week of spinning The Devil’s Rain in the witching hour, I began to notice that they were in much higher spirits and in much better moods than before.
Sometimes old geezers do know what’s best for ya. Now get off my lawn!
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