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 | Rocket From The CryptGroup Sounds2001 Vagrant 
  Review by: exhaustra See others by this writer rocket from the crypt (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on October 21st 2001
Us punk rock kids do some wacky stuff. Take tattooing your favorite band’s logo on yourself. Are you honestly going to be listening to Saves The Day when you’re 40? Are you going to try to explain their punk credentials to your children? On the other hand, am I going to be listening to Dag Nasty when I’m 40? I hope so, Because I’ll look pretty stupid at Michael Boltin concerts with the ‘Wig Out at Denko’s’ logo on my arm. There’s only one other band I’ve ever thought about getting their logo in permanent ink: Rocket from the Crypt. And with their new album, Group Sounds, I may just run out to the tattoo parlor right now. I want to warn you right off the bat: this is a no frills, rock and roll record. This is not the typical Vagrant Records release. This is not for pretty boy punks. There is no ‘lovers-lament, my girlfriend left me’ crap. RFTC writes and plays music from the gut, for the gut. “Say hello to my little friend…” starts the first track ‘Straight American Slave.’ And by the end of the song you know they mean business. Lyrically, this is RFTC’s most angry, emotionally raw record. Speedo seems a man possessed with lines like “That pig needs a warning/We’re out for blood” (Savoir Faire) and “Outside an audience begs/Show us more scars/Burn back the fields at once/And blanket with tar” (White Belt). We get an inkling of hope in Dead Seeds with “Dead on the vine/I hope your leaves never fall off,” but that’s it. His voice is as hoarse as ever, raw from so many shows and cigarettes. But I wouldn’t want it any other way. The songs are quick blasts of pure rock with guitar riffs so simple, you’ll kick yourself for not coming up with them before. The patented RFTC horns are in full effect and hitting harder than ever. A full Stax/Motown feel, but never getting to busy and taking over. They slow it down with the final track Ghost Shark, an almost creepy ballad with piano and timpani that will have you singing along by the second chorus. And Return of the Liar has what is probably the best use of handclaps and cowbell ever. This has taken Scream Dracula, Scream’s place as my favorite RFTC record. So what do you think? Right shoulder or forearm? People who liked this also liked:           Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
This album fucking rules. Great driving around music. Great album, or the greatest album? this record is phenomenal, but I don't think that it QUITE tops "S, D, S" God bless Rocket From the Crypt in this time of poppunk and emo bands. What is even funnier is that they are on the Vagrant label. It doesn't really matter what label they are on because this album is what rock and roll is meant to sound like. Some of the songs on this album (Straight American Slave, carne voodoo) are very hard and fast but they still make you want to move like 1950s rock and roll. Why don't more people like this band? If there is a Vagrant records tour this summer (can anyone confirm this?), I can't wait to see these guys up there after the New Amsterdams or some other whiney emo brats. Long live RFTC. BEST album of 2001. Rock and fuckin' roll! "Straight American Slave," "White Belt," "Return of the Liar," "Venom, Venom," "S.O.S." and "The Bad Check is Gonna Stick" are some of the best RFTC songs to date. Speedo and the army are in full force. Check out "Scream Dracula, Scream" and "The State of Art is on Fire" too. The reason people like this band is becuz they are not like all the other bands out there. They come in with there own sound and they make it sound good. This is album ranks up there with the albums of 2001. INCUBUS ? wow, lets get excited, I'll just listen to my Cum41 CD to bide the time until i get my new Incubus........ Bolton sucks, Kenny G is the fuckin man!!! that's right bi-atch. and don't you forget it. BOLTON rules!- fathead i can't believe i got called out on my michael bolton spelling on a 'punk' webpage. The ten is for the show "Solute Your Shorts" that was pure genius. I havent heard the album yet but nice review. No, being musically ignorant means not liking this band. Shithead. if not being musically ignorant means liking this band then count me out Josip, Im not fighting with you anymore..It's pointless! Besides..Then I would be stooping to your level. Whatever you say from now on will just go unnoticed. Like I should have done to begin with. Oh and by the way I think your forearm would be a better place. But I'd so go for your upper arm I was afraid to try out this band, I was afraid because I read a review in Maxim that said it was a very good record, but I ussually disagree with the Maxim music staff. I think that I will go out to the store tommorow and pick up this cd or scream dracula scream since that seems to be another popular choice plus its a great wesley willis quote, but im sure he ripped it off them. NEW INCUBUS ALBUM TOMMOROW! you don't understand why people like rocket from the crypt because you are musically ignorant I don't get why so many many people like this band RFTC is that good old punkified rock'n'roll that will be timeless. They are fuckin' great. Good review. sorry about my spelling RFTC KICKS ASS. But man that show was awesome. Those writers were ginues calling that gut "Ug Lee". I loved that show. This is my Fav. RFTC record though. Awesome through and through. this IS a great cd, i still think i like scream dracula, scream better, but eh, thats just me. AND ya SHOULD get that tattoo, cause if ya have the RFTC logo tattooed on ya, ya get in all their shows for the rest of your life for free, didnt know if ya knew that or not. - Timmo maybe it's childish, but as the descendents said: i don't want to grow up! i bet you was so sad again, cause my comment hurted you that much...just read your comments at the bigwig review, and then start to think man, dont forget: my god can beat up your god! That budnick guy was in a band called Bad 4 Good or some shit...please don't ask why I know that. Salute you Shorts fuckin ruled!!! I loved that show...Donkeylips..what a fuckin name. Who were some of the other people on that show??? hmmm I love this band. I am one of the minority that feels that the S/T effort its their best record. Not many folks agree with me there. Salute Your Shorts. What ever happened to that show anyways? the budnik guy was in terminator 2, he was conors friend when they were fixing the bike and going to the arcade Donkylips fuckin rules. I saw that Budnick dude was in some metal band. If someone remembers the name of them let me know and I'll try to review it. fathead, nice Salute Your Shorts reference. That show was fucking bomb. Anyone have it on tape? I'd gladly buy it off of you. Please Josip...Grow up, I thought I stopped argueing with you..I know I started it by calling you an asshole..But that was just un-fuckin-necessary. I really don't like this band at all, but that was a good review. and please its "Michael BOLTON", not "Boltin". get it right or pay the price.- fathead I just can't dig these guys, Buddyhead tried to say the Pietasters are ripping them off but I don't see it... Some Rocket From the Crypt side projects you might want to check out if you are digging them: this is a great review, really enjoyed reading it (and it's better than any from coldjuly - start whining boy), maybe i should check out RFTC, cause everybody seems to love them... |
