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Rocket from the Crypt

Scream, Dracula, Scream! (1995)
Universal Music Group

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Contributed by: rob_rob
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on July 14th 2006

I'll admit it: I got into Rocket from the Crypt a little late. A little very late, that is. I don't even know why, but I always clumped them together with those "signed punk bands" from the `90s explosion that never really had anything good to offer. And yes, when I was really young, I thought they were a ska band. But one day I found something marvellous in my roommate's CD collection: Group Sounds. The furious pace of songs like "White Belt" and "Heart of the Rat" really got me out of my musical slump, and made the 20-minute uphill walks to work a lot more enjoyable, especially on chilly Calgary mornings.

So, recently browsing through some of my new roommate's CDs, I found Scream, Dracula, Scream!. I made it my priority to listen to this as soon as possible, going all the way home, grabbing my stereo and coming back to my new apartment.

As soon as the it started I was immediately confused. In hindsight, "Middle" is one of the best opening tracks I've ever heard, but I definitely had to go back and take a second listen. I wasn't sure if i loved it like a newborn child, or hated it like a goofball rapist. The sound of Speedo pushing his voice so hard it's about to break makes you instantly want to do the same back. By the second listen you'll know every word. From there, the album continues with "Born in `69," another fast song, showing off everyone's skills in the band.

RFTC then presents their one "radio" hit from the mid-nineties, and deservedly so; "On a Rope" is one of the catchiest fucking songs I've ever heard in my life. The album rolls on with great songs from there, with lots of sing-alongs, especially during the hardest track on the album, "Drop Out." "Used" stands out as an odd track on the album. Its basically a doo-wop ballad, with freakishly technical guitar lines weaving over each other, and truly amazing harmonies. The album picks up again, with the thumping bass-line of "Come See, Come Saw" and another great track, "Salt Future." Unfortunately, the only downside is that the album runs a little long, only about one or two songs, but enough for the casual listener to notice.

One of the real standouts of this album is Atom Willard's drumming. He really proves himself to be one of the best drummers in punk rock, all without any unnecessary solos or showing off that usually comes with that caliber of talent -- just an incredibly tight performance that manages to hold a band made up of two guitarists (who usually counter each other's parts), a horn section, bass and complex vocal lines, and that is no easy feat. I think losing him really hurt the band.

In summary, this is a fantastic album, full of many great, fun songs. Even though it's a little long for my tastes, it should stand as a nice introduction for people who thought they were a ska band when they were 13 as well. Again, sorry Rocket.

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skolarx (January 24, 2011)

one of my top 2 albums ever. i don't think there has ever been another record who's first 6 tracks flow together so well, just absolute perfection

orestes (November 5, 2008)

the best rftc album!!
keep on rocking!!

branden (April 5, 2007)

best album ever.

opened_ground (July 17, 2006)

yea it's strange that people trash on their Vagrant records when Group Sounds is one of their best.

CallingLondon (July 17, 2006)

of course they're ska, they have horns!

GlassPipeMurder (July 17, 2006)

This record is absolutely fantastic. Easily my favorite. The chorus of Misbeaten is ear candy, Young Livers is catchy as hell, and Ball LIghtning is just straight up badass. Rocket From The Crypt is the most underrated band ever, and this shows them at their finest.

i-type-poorly (July 16, 2006)

RFTC is one of the most under-appreciated bands on this site. Great album. Groups Sounds is my favorite though.

Anonymous (July 16, 2006)

Young Livers and Drop Out are my two favorite RFTC songs. Amazing cd.

gregs (July 16, 2006)

This album is killer. I agree that there's a few too many songs on it. But only because there's a couple songs that I don't like so much. I picked up the "Born in '69" single the other day and the B-side ("Ciao Patsy") is as good as anything on the album itself!

Anonymous (July 15, 2006)

The last show was insane. Fuck. I miss them. Best live band I've ever seen. Period.

JCrackUp (July 14, 2006)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Ben Weasel (born Ben Foster in Chicago, Illinois) was the lead singer of punk rock band Screeching Weasel, as well as The Riverdales. He was also a columnist for MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL, a prominent punk rock fanzine.

In recent years he has released one solo album (Fidatevi, Lookout! Records) and written a novel and a collection of essays and articles, Like Hell (2001) and Punk is a Four Letter Word (2002). They were both published by Hope and Nonthings, a small publishing house based in Chicago and run by former bandmate John "Jughead" Pierson.

In the early 1990s, Weasel published a fanzine called Panic Button. He also started a record label by that name in 1997 with Screeching Weasel guitarist Jughead, which they sold to Lookout Records in 2001.

[edit]
Discography
Screeching Weasel - Screeching Weasel (1987)
Screeching Weasel - BOOGADABOOGADABOOGADA (1988)
Screeching Weasel - My Brain Hurts (1991)
Screeching Weasel - Wiggle (1992)
Screeching Weasel - Anthem For A New Tomorrow (1993)
Screeching Weasel - How To Make Enemies And Irritate People (1994)
Riverdales - Riverdales (1995)
Screeching Weasel - Kill The Musicians (1995)
Screeching Weasel - Bark Like A Dog (1996)
Riverdales - Storm The Streets (1997)
Screeching Weasel - Major Label Debut (1997)
Screeching Weasel - Television City Dream (1998)
Screeching Weasel - Emo (1999)
Screeching Weasel - Teen Punks In Heat (2000)
Ben Weasel Fidatevi (2002)
Riverdales - Phase Three (2003)
Screeching Weasel - Weasel Mania (2005)
[edit]
External links
Lookout Records
Asian Man Records
Fat Wreck Chords
Screeching Weasel at Amazon.com

onegirlarmy (July 14, 2006)

Great album, great band.

Anonymous (July 14, 2006)

rock over london, rock on chicago...

I actually checked out this album because of Wesley Willis. So awesome.

Jim

cantsitstill (July 14, 2006)

"Fat Lip" is the best track of the rest of the cd after you get past the first 4. Oh, that and "Suit City". And "Salt Future". Shit, this whole album is great! 10/10! A ! R.I.P. rftc!

Anonymous (July 14, 2006)

I love this album, from Jehu to the Hot Snakes to Rocket, John Reis is my god.

Barkley

robdobi (July 14, 2006)

i bought this when i was in 8th grade and still remains one of my favorite cds to this day. i've told multiple people i want "used" played at my funeral.

skolarx (July 14, 2006)

one of the greatest album ever, hands down, no questions asked.

the first 6 songs flow together in a way very few albums could ever hope to imagine

jockmcbored (July 14, 2006)

ebay

jockmcbored (July 14, 2006)

couldn't get into this. sold it on ebat the other day too for £1.50

Anonymous (July 14, 2006)

one of the great live bands of the era as well...Circa Now still stands as my favorite and was pure genious...

Anonymous (July 14, 2006)

i bought this the week it came out...on cassette.

pasha (July 14, 2006)

Great, great album. Love every song on this.