BLUE MEANIES
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
The Blue Meanies play rock that sometimes brings to mind the Ramones (but without their powerful drive), sometimes the Clash (but without their anger) and sometimes bands like Sigue Sigue Sputnik (but without their over-the-top craziness). The music of the Blue Meanies has been described as "carnival punk" which is a fair description. It's sort of like Danny Elfman's score for "Beetlejuice" written and recorded for vocals.
Does it rock? Yeah, in a sort of weird twisted way. Like the way the peppiest songs of Oingo Boingo rocked (but without that band's sophistication). What's interesting is that the stuff that most emulates the work of others (in other words, the songs that sound most like The Ramones or The Clash) are the best songs on the CD. When the band is inspired, they're pretty damn good. But there are several tracks that sound as though they were not.
Still, if you're a fan of bands like The Clash, the Ramones or Oingo Boingo, you could do worse than check out "Blue Meanies."
Blue Meanies are Dave Lund - bass vocals; John Paul Camp III - saxophone, vocals; Sean Dolan - guitar; Billy Spunke - vocals; Chaz Lande - keyboards, vocals, additional guitar on 'Camaro Man'; Bob Trondson - drums, percussion; Jimmy Flame - trumpet, vocals, additional organ on 'Camaro Man." "The Post Wave" also features background vocals by Jane Wiedlin.
For more information, please visit http://www.bluemeanies.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This
record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it
will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the
cover makes you wanna hurl.
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Copyright ©2001 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
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Revised: 16 Feb 2020 16:51:51 -0500.
